New Pilot Boat Ordered To Replace St George

January 20, 2022

A new purpose-built pilot boat is expected to be delivered in September 2022, set to replace the 40-year-old St George which the Ministry said is “well past its lifespan.”

The WorkBoat website said, “Bermuda’s Department of Marine and Port Services has awarded a contract to Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corp., for a new 52′ Chesapeake-class pilot boat.

“The launch will be built to Lloyd’s Register class,” the report said. “The Somerset, Mass., shipyard built a 61’ pilot/rescue vessel for the port service in 2011.

Rendering via Gladding-Hearn

Bermuda Pilots January 2022

“With a deep-V hull designed by Ray Hunt Design, the new all-aluminum pilot boat measures 52.11’ overall, with a 15.10’ beam and a 4.8’ draft. Powered by twin Caterpillar C-18 diesel engines, each producing 670 Bhp at 2100 rpm, the vessel’s top speed is expected to reach 22 knots.

“The engines will turn a pair of 5-bladed Brunton nibral propellers via ZF 500-1-A gear boxes. The launch will be equipped with a 9-kW Northern Lights genset.”

Bernews asked the Ministry of Transport for comment, and a spokesperson said, “The RFP for a New Pilot Boat was published in the Official Gazette on 17 March 2021. The successful bidder is Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilders in Somerset, Massachusetts.

“We expect the delivery of one new 52’ Lloyd’s class purpose-built pilot boat in September 2022. This new pilot boat will replace the 40-year-old St George, which is well past its lifespan. There are two pilot boats in the Marine and Ports fleet; St. David and St. George. “

File photo of the St. David pilot boat

Pilot Boat St David Bermuda Generic-2

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Comments (6)

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  1. unknown800k says:

    So no report on how those rocks came in front of boat. And because we are overflowing with bitcoin money just keep spending with nobody held accountable,
    Vote them back in for a couple more years, well done voters.
    Just think how much 1.2 million and 800k, the unknown 800k couldve funded this.

    • sea egg says:

      sshhhh. we are supposed to have forgotten about that little COSTLY boo boo. I really would like to know the COINTRACTED COST of this new one and does it have the latest in anti reef/rock avoidance systems. gotta find where this money tree is ( oh yeah its in leagal weed. bitcoin and TA fees to come )

  2. Joe Bloggs says:

    No indication as to cost, but it’s nice to know we have money to spend on such things

    • Time Shall Tell says:

      If you knew the role of this vessel you would understand that we can’t afford not to have this vessel.

      • Joe Bloggs says:

        What I know is that we are going to return borrowing to pay interest on our debt under the current financial controls

  3. Thinking says:

    And the guy is still employed with marine and ports even though this was the third time he’d smashed up a gov boat