(SOMERSET, Mass.) — The Association of Maryland Pilots has taken delivery of Fells Point, the first boat in a new class from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding. The Baltimore class is named after the pilots’ base of operations at the Port of Baltimore.
With a length overall of 48.5 feet, beam of 15.6 feet and draft of 4 feet, the all-aluminum pilot boat features the Ray Hunt Design deep-V hull. It is powered by twin Volvo Penta D13 EPA Tier 3-compliant diesel engines, each delivering 600 hp at 1,900 rpm, giving the boat a top speed of 30 knots. A Humphree interceptor trim-tab control system, with its automatic trim optimization, is installed at the transom.
The engines turn five-blade Bruntons nibral propellers via ZF400-A gearboxes. The launch is equipped with a 6-kW Northern Lights genset.
The wheelhouse, flush-mounted to the deck amidship, features a center-line helm station, five Norsap shock-mitigating reclining seats, a bag rack, refrigerator and a 16,000-BTU reverse-cycle HVAC unit. A second 12,000-BTU HVAC unit is installed in the unfinished forecastle, which includes a portable toilet, tool box and storage for safety gear.
Outside of the wheelhouse are heated side decks and hand rails, side and rear doors, and boarding platforms on the roof. A Harken safety rail has been installed on the sides and around the front of the wheelhouse. A control station is at the transom, along with a powered rescue system for pilot rescue operations.
– Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding
