Safehaven Marine, Ireland, has launched 'Izurdia', an Interceptor 42 for the Port of Bayonne, France.
Working closely with vessel owner, Bertrand Moutard of the Bayonne Pilots Syndicate, Safehaven incorporated some unique changes to the design. The vessel features a storage hold on the port side of the superstructure incorporating a Jason's cradle, which is stored in this compartment, and quickly deployed over the side and recovered via a winch/pulley system on the cabin roof.
Another feature is the pilot boarding ladders, which are functional yet aesthetically pleasing solution to maximise pilot safety during the boarding procedures a pilot undertakes.
'Izurdia' has an operational speed of 22 to 23 knots and is powered by twin Volvo D12 engines through Twin Disc 5114sc gearboxes. During sea trials the vessel's exceptional seakeeping was demonstrated as it powered through a force 8 gale and five-metre high seas.
"At Bayonne we have a dangerous bar where the Atlantic swells can reach over ten metres in height, and we needed a vessel with exceptional seakeeping to safely navigate the bar, this is why we chose an Interceptor," said Mr Moutard.