A new pilot craft for the Oslo Fjord

March 26, 2009

The new LOS 117 will work in the Oslo Fjord Entrance serving the stations of Hvaler, Hvasser and Langesund. Photo: Mercator Media 2009

A second highly specialised pilot craft has been delivered ready for service from Swedish boatbuilder Dockstavarvet. The new craft was christened ‘LOS 117’ and will work in the Oslo Fjord Entrance serving the stations of Hvaler, Hvasser and Langesund.

Its predecessor, ‘LOS 115’, was delivered to the Norwegian Coastal Administration for Kirkenes Pilot Station in North Eastern Norway in May last year.

The Alupilot 16500 is a fast launch strengthened for navigation in ice. Main dimensions are 16.7m long with a 5.1m beam and a full load displacement of over 30 tons. The boat is built in all welded aluminium construction according to DNV/Norwegian Maritime Directorate requirements. The resiliently mounted deckhouse is fitted with a Pilot / Co-Pilot conning arrangement, toilet, pantry and seating for four Pilots. The noise level inside is well under 70 db(A) at full speed.LOS 117 is fitted with a complete, single screw, drive line from Pon Power consisting of a Caterpillar C32 main engine, Mekanord gear, Helseth CPP and a Rexroth/Norcon electronic manoeuvring and monitoring system. With a rating of 820kW, this drive line gives a sprint speed of 22 knots and very smooth manoeuvring. The navigation / communication equipment is delivered by Pronav/JRC and includes a JMA-5310 black box radar, JHS-182 AIS, NCR-333 Navtex, FF-50 echosounder, CSI Vector PRO GPS compass, Northstar MX500 DGPS, Simrad AP-50 autopilot, Maris AEC-6910 chart system and one 19 plus two 17 inch interconnectable flat-screens from Hatteland. Two Sailor RT- 5022 stations are included in the GMDSS A1 package.

LOS 117 has been fitted with the bolted truck tyre heavy duty fender system used on all Docksta Pilot Boats delivered during the last 15 years. In addition to the normal security equipment, LOS 117 is also fitted with a comprehensive heating system to keep decks, boarding platforms and handrails free from ice in below zero conditions.

In between LOS 115 and LOS 117, Docksta also delivered the 17m twin screw fast launch ‘LOS 116’ to the same customer. A second unit of this type (Alupilot 17000) is currently in production for delivery in June 2009 and three more will follow later this year and in 2010.

Source: www.maritimejournal.com