Alabama Pilot accepts high-speed pilot boat

The Alabama Pilot has taken delivery of Dixey, a Chesapeake-class pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation.

With a length overall of 16.3 metres and a 5.3-metre beam, the all-aluminium boat features a C Raymond Hunt-designed deep-vee hull.

Dixey is powered by twin Caterpillar C-18 diesel engines, each delivering 500kW at 2,100rpm, and has a top speed of 27 knots.

She provides a range of at least 400 nautical miles at 20 knots.

The wheelhouse, flush-mounted to the deck amidships and with forward-leaning front windows, is outfitted with six seats, a bag rack and cooled by two air-conditioning units. The forecastle includes a settee and safety gear storage.

Outside the wheelhouse are wide side decks, side and rear doors, and boarding platforms on the roof and port and starboard on the foredeck. At the transom is a winch-operated, rotating davit over a recessed platform for rescue operations.