The pilot boat was built in Izmir, Turkey and is specially designed to operate in enclosed harbors and rivers, which is particularly important for ensuring pilot operations in the ports of the Danube region. The pilot boat can accommodate 8 pilots and 2 crew members onboard and move as fast as 32 km/hour; however, the average operational speed is around 15 km/hour. At the average speed, the boat can operate for up to three days without refueling. The 15-meter pilot boat is made of marine grade aluminum and painted orange, making it visible on the water under any conditions. The boat features a wide range of European and American equipment featuring two American Cummins engines and two Alamarin waterjets from Finland.
Lotsman Bolotin is named after Captain Borys Bolotin (1940-2019), a first-class maritime pilot who served as both the Deputy Head (2009-2013) and Head of Danube Unified Sea Pilotage Service of Delta Lotsman (2004-2009). After graduating from Kherson Maritime Lyceum, he dedicated his life to maritime shipping on the Danube. He is buried in Izmail.
Next month, ERA will deliver the third pilot boat, Lotsman Cheberiakov, also being built in Izmir.
Recently, the second pilot boat USAID is building for USPA, named Pilot Cheberiakov, successfully completed sea trials. In total, USPA will receive three pilot boats to further strengthen the export capacity of the Ukrainian economy on the Danube and Black Sea ports.