MARCO Signs Contract With S.F. Bar Pilots

MARCO Shipyard Seattle is scheduled to design and build a duo of 104 ft., (31.7 m) pilot station boats for the San Francisco Bar Pilots. With construction to commence soon, the design portion of the project is near completion. The first vessel is set for delivery before year-end, with the second to follow in early 2001. Comprised of steel, the twin-screw vessels will replace the two existing station boats in the Bar Pilots' five-vessel fleet. Powered by twin Caterpillar 3508B diesels, providing a total of 2,200-hp and a design speed of 14 knots, the vessels will boast an overall beam of 30 ft. (9.1 m) and a depth of 13 ft. (3.9 m) Designed to safely transport pilots to and from ships entering, departing or transiting the San Francisco Bay waterways, the vessels will feature accommodations for eight pilots.