The Boston Pilots has taken delivery of two “Chesapeake” class pilot boats from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. The shipyard’s
new class of launches has also been built for the Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Portland, Maine pilots.
Designed by C. Raymond Hunt Associates in Boston, the all-aluminum launches measure 52.6 feet overall, with a 17-foot beam and 4.8 foot draft, and top out at 25 knots. Named “Mystic” and “Chelsea,” the boats are powered by twin Lugger 6140AL2 diesel engines, each delivering 600 Bhp at 2100 rpm, with Twin Disc MG5114A gear-boxes. The engines turn two 5-blade Hall & Stavert NiBrAl propellers. Each launch is equipped with a 12 kW Northern Lights generator.
Safety equipment includes heated handrails and decks to prevent ice build-up in the winter, and wide side-decks. At the transom are a throttle and steering controls and a winch-operated U-frame over a recessed platform for pilot rescue operations.
Each wheelhouse and forecastle is outfitted with Stidd reclining seats, finished galley, and enclosed head. The forecastles’ berthing areas are isolated from the noise and traffic of the galley and head, with noise levels below 77 dba, and include heating and air-conditioning.