Barkmeijer Bags Pilot Station Vessel Order
Barkmeijer Shipyards signed a newbuild contract on 15 September last with the Dutch pilotage – ‘Het Loodswezen’ – for the construction of three 81m pilot station vessels. According to Dutch pilotage the third one will be held in option. The vessels – of which the first will be delivered autumn 2012 and the second in 2013 – will replace the over thirty year old cutters and will each provide accommodations for 18 pilots.
The vessels will serve as a semi-permanent base at sea off the Dutch coast from which pilots will be tendered to and from seagoing vessels in the Rotterdam area and the Westerschelde estuary. In addition they will act as supply vessels for other pilot craft. Once a week the pilot station vessels will change crews and take in supplies at Hoek van Holland and Vlissingen. The possible third vessel will serve as a standby vessel in port.
The vessels are specifically designed for operations in unfavourable weather conditions, which will reduce to need to tender pilots by helicopter – a more expensive option. The improved behaviour – extensive model testing was performed at MARIN – will also enhance the working conditions on board the vessels. Apart from the 18 pilots, the vessel be able to accommodate a crew of 17 and have and addition ten berths available. The vessels will feature diesel electric propulsion not only for its design speed of 16 knots, but to reduce exhaust gas emissions as well.