Gladding Hearn builds new class for Maryland pilots
Sketch of Baltimore-class pilot vessel (Source: Gladding Hearn)
The Association of Maryland Pilots has ordered two vessels of a new class of pilot boat from U.S. yard Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding. Called the Baltimore class after the pilots’ base of operations at the port of Baltimore, one vessel will be delivered in December 2020 and the other in April 2021.
With a length overall of 16.1m, the all-aluminium pilot boat type has the Ray Hunt Design deep V hull. It will be powered by twin Volvo Penta D13, EPA Tier 3-compliant diesel engines, each delivering 600 Bhp at 1900 rpm with a top speed of 29 knots. The engines will turn 5-blade Bruntons NiBrAl propellers via ZF gear boxes. The type will be equipped with a 6-kW Northern Lights genset. Outside of the wheelhouse are heated side-decks and handrails to prevent ice accumulation. A Harken safety rail will be installed on the sides and around the front of the wheelhouse. A control station, along with a powered rescue system, is at the transom for pilot rescue operations.
