Derecktor Shipyards to Build Pilot Boats

Derecktor Shipyards signed a contract with the New York/New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Association for the construction of two all aluminum fast pilot boats. The two vessels will be built on plans by Camarc Small Craft Designs of Worthing, UK in Derecktor's Mamaroneck, N.Y. facility. Delivery is slated for fall 2000. The Sandy Hook Pilots serve the port of New York. They operate four boats from a stationary mother ship anchored near Ambrose Lighthouse in open waters and in a rough environment. The clean and modern look of the new boats is due in part to the new fendering system which ensures great durability together with very high impact resistance. The continuous fender is cleaner than traditional tires and also safer because it avoids dangerous "hanging up". Other safety features include: heated decks and handrails, forward raked windows on bridge for maximum visibility of deck area and of boarding pilots, port and starboard side doors for direct exit of pilot from the shelter of the deckhouse to the ship's boarding ladder. The structural design is based on Lloyds Register of Shipping Special Service Craft Rules and American Boat and Yacht Council Rules (ABYC) will be used for all the onboard systems. The hull design is an advanced double chine hull, with full skeg on the propellers, developed in conjunction with U.K. towing tank facilities since 1983. This basic hull design has been used on a number of vessels including 52 ft. and 60 ft. aluminum and steel pilot vessels. Derecktor plans to use scantlings well in excess of the rule requirements in order to obtain maximum hull strength and to exceed its minimum designed service life of 15 years. The duty cycle is expected to be an average of 3,000 hours per year. Slow speed cruising will account for between 25-50 percent of the operating hours and the remainder will be at full service speed Vessel Specifications Naval Architect: Camarc Small Craft Design Builder: Derecktor Shipyards LOA: 55.8 ft. Length Hull: 53 ft. LWL: 47.5 ft. Beam Moulded: 16.1 ft. Beam Overall: 18.8 ft. Draft: 5.25 ft. Fuel Capacity: 1,500 gallons Water Capacity: 25 gallons Complement: 10 Full Load Displacement: 27 tons Speed: 25knots Main Engines: (2) Detroit Diesel 8V2000