All-new pilot boat design for short trips

Robert Allan Ltd has developed an all-electric pilot boat for operations in which the run to the ship is five nautical miles or less.

Powered by two 500kW engines that reach a top speed of 20 knots, the 16-metre by five-metre aluminium vessel has a fully electric twin screw drivetrain and a substantial bank of batteries that are recharged from shore power.

Twin small auxiliary generators give "get home" and range extension capability.

Ideal for short-run applications of five nautical miles or less and where there is time between jobs to recharge the batteries, the emissions-free vessel has a crew of two and four pilots.

It is fitted with a FirePro fire extinguishing system.