VESSEL REVIEW | Murshid – All-weather pilot boat to serve Jebel Ali Port in Dubai
Irish boatbuilder Safehaven Marine has completed construction of a new pilot boat ordered by UAE port developer and operator DP World for operation at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai.
Murshid is the first in a series of two all-weather-capable pilot boats that will be operated at Jebel Ali Port. The vessel utilises a modified design of an existing Safehaven Marine pilot boat but is slightly longer to provide a longer planing area, thus ensuring higher transit speeds with greater economy.
The newbuild has all-FRP construction, an LOA of 18.5 metres (60.7 feet), a moulded beam of 4.6 metres (15 feet), a draught of only 1.5 metres (4.9 feet), a lightship displacement of 25 tonnes, and space for up to 12 pilots/passengers in addition to two crewmembers. Power is provided by two Caterpillar C18 engines, and sea trials proved that this propulsion configuration can deliver a speed of 28.5 knots.
Enhanced seakeeping even in extreme weather
The vessel is fitted with a hydraulic steering system consisting of a power pump, a tiller cylinder steering ram and helm pump, providing the craft with a hard over to hard over of 3.5 wheel turns without being overly heavy in steering effort. Single-lever electronic shift controls are fitted at the main helm and are ergonomically positioned for ease of operation.
The boat’s hull design is of a deep V, twin chine semi-displacement design providing excellent seakeeping especially in large waves, or where tidal influences introduce dangerous breaking seas. The design is capable of operating safely in all weather conditions up to and including Storm force 10 and 11 and wave heights up to eight metres (26 feet).
The vessel also displays safe, predictable “alongside ship” handling characteristics and can be specified as self-righting, able to recover safely after capsizing caused by a large breaking wave.
The boat has a wide beam combined with moderately deep V aft sections to provide the high levels of directional stability needed to prevent any yaw and roll that can induce broaching when surfing on the face of large waves. This beam, coupled with a very low centre of gravity, is the design’s key factor in being able to run safely in big quartering following seas. Quick light steering with minimum turns lock to lock and large rudders meanwhile give instant correction to the helm inputs.
The bow design is full above the waterline with plenty of flare. This gives sufficient buoyancy to prevent shipping green water. Running into big head seas, the design is excellent. The deep V hull sections, 22 degrees amidships, and a fine 52-degree waterline entry at the bow means it is very soft riding, with low vertical accelerations for crew comfort.
The vessel boasts a high bow with plenty of freeboard forward and amidships while the superstructure is positioned well aft for crew comfort. The twin chines make it a very dry boat, especially so at boarding speeds, and the bow flare contributes to this. The hull design is also excellent in a short one- to two-metre (3.3- to 6.6-foot) chop, and the fine forward sections effectively cut through smaller waves to provide a smooth ride.
Improved safety and comfort
From the outset, an important part of the design criteria for the boat was that it needed to be inherently self-righting. This is achieved as a result of the superstructure design’s size and buoyancy, which prevent the vessel from staying in an inverted position after capsize by a breaking sea. The superstructure is of a size large enough, with sufficient internal volume to automatically right the vessel.
The main cabin has shock-mitigating seating for the pilots/passengers, a well-appointed dinette seating area, and a pilot command station. A central helm position ensures optimal visibility and precise vessel control, promoting safety and efficiency during critical boarding manoeuvres.
To permit operations in hot climates, Murshid is fitted with an 80,000btu air conditioner with power supplied by two 20kW generators. The full liveaboard facilities include spacious forward accommodation, while a recovery platform can be used when responding to MOB incidents.
The fore peak extends aft of the bow and is a void space provided with a sole and capable of being used as a storage area. There is full access to all fittings and the area is flow coated. The area is accessed from the forecabin via a watertight door in the head and from the deck via ladder and an aluminium deck hatch. The anchor, chain, and warp are stored in a recessed anchor locker accessed from the deck.
