Wales based Mustang Marine is building its first ever GRP pilot launch

Wales based Mustang Marine is building its first ever GRP pilot launch, a Nelson 48/50 for Associated British Ports Humber Estuary Services.

The 15.28m LOA craft will have a beam of 4.26m and draft fully loaded of 1.28m, with capacity for two crew and eight pilots.

 In accordance with a cooperation agreement signed last year Mustang Marine has an exclusive license to market the Nelson 48/50 and Cara 52, ensuring the venerable designs continue to be available for newbuilds. ‘There’s still life in it. It’s still a very good boat’, Mustang’s Richard Littler told MJ in reference to the Nelson 48/50.

The newbuild is in fact the fourth Nelson 48/50 for Humber Estuary Services, following on from three built by the previous builder in 2005. It will be essentially the same as the earlier boats, with minor detailing changes giving it the Mustang imprint, but revised Code does mean that all eight pilots will be sitting in suspension seats in the newbuild.

Captain Phil Cowing, Harbour Master Humber commented, ’For us the key consideration is reliability. We need pilot boats that will consistently be capable of safely boarding and landing pilots in the designated areas in all the weather and sea conditions we experience locally. The Nelson 48/50 is tried and tested on the Humber over many years and has a proven record of performance and reliability. As in the past, the people directly involved with the boats, launch crew, pilots, and engineers, have been involved in the selection process for the new craft.’

The vessel’s hull, deck and superstructure have been fabricated and joined by Dale Sailing Company Ltd in Milford Haven, using the moulds provided by Mustang, and transported the short distance across the river to Mustang Marine’s Pembroke Dock yard for fitting out.  These components are designed in accordance with Lloyds Register Special Service Craft Rules and the vessel will be certified in accordance with the Small Workboats and Pilot Boats code for category 3, up to 20 miles from safe haven.

The one piece GRP hull shell is stiffened using a system of longitudinal girders, stringers and transverse frames and is sub-divided by transverse watertight bulkheads. Special reinforcement is built into the boarding area of the topsides and deck to accept extra loads applied during pilotage activities.

The vessel will be powered by twin Scania DI16 EMS turbocharged and aftercooled marine diesels, each rated 525mhp at 1,800 rpm, driving fixed pitch propellers through Twin Disc MGX 5114SC QuickShift gearboxes for a speed of 24 knots. A 1,600 litre fuel capacity will enable a range of some 210 nautical miles at 18 knots, including 10% reserve.

The navigation and communication package will include a Furuno FR 8062 radar, a Furuno GD1720C LCD chart plotter comprising GPS and echo sounder, a Furuno AIS system and a Navico electronic steering compass. A Sailor RT5022 VHF/DSC radio will be fitted adjacent to the helm position, with a Sailor RT2048 VHF radio fitted adjacent to the crew position.

Wheelhouse provision includes the ten KAB 301 suspension seats mounted on GRP bases, two for crew and eight for pilots. The vessel is scheduled for launch in February 2011 and delivery by the end of March.