Gladding-Hearn Delivers New Pilot Boat
Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, has delivered a new “Chesapeake” class pilot boat to the Delaware pilots. The shipyard’s new class of pilot boats has also been built for the Virginia, Maryland, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Portland, Maine pilots. According to Winn Willard at C. Raymond Hunt Associates, the designer, the increasing popularity of the Chesapeake class results from some subtle changes to the firm’s typical pilot boat design. The boat is six inches longer and wider on deck. There is also an additional six inches of freeboard. The new class is also suitable for a variety of engine options. The all-aluminum “Brandywine…
Gladding-Hearn Builds New Pilot Boat for Delaware Pilots
Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, is nearing completion of a second Chesapeake class pilot boat for the Delaware pilots. Lewes, in March will mark the ninth pilot boat of this new class since 2002. Designed by C. Raymond Hunt & Associates, the new all-aluminum pilot boat measures 52.5 feet overall, with a 17-foot beam and 4.8-foot draft, and will have a top speed of 26 knots. The launch will be powered by twin Daewoo V180TIM, 10-cylinder, diesel engines, each delivering 640 bhp at 2100 rpm, with ZF 350A gears. The engines will turn 5-blade Hall & Stavert bronze propellers through three-inch shafts. The Delaware pilots chose an unpainted launch to reduce maintenance.
