Article

Port of Townsville expands pilot boat fleet with Hart Marine´s ORC 173


published on 7 December 2021 -  149 -

Port of Townsville latest Mantaray HM ORC 173, along with all Port of Townsville’s pilot boat fleet is defined by the Pantocarene designed beak bow vessels that are the forefront of pilot vessel desingn worldwide. The beak bow is designed to increase the waterline and reduce slamming and vertical accelerations, this along with the remotely mounted wheelhouse to reduce noise and vibration results in lower fatigue of pilots and vessel operators. Through 30+ years of design development Pantocarenes has been able to signifiantly reduce the drag of the hull form while maintaining best of breed qualities. The drag reduction therefore improves fuel efficiency and emissions. The HM ORC 173 hull is a refinement of 30 year’s knowledge of designing beaked bow vessels.
The client required a similar vessel to expand their fleet, fleet continuity was extremely important to the Port of Townsville. They wanted their users to be able to adapt to each vessel easily from a fleet management point of view. Port of Townsville required a 17.3 pilot vessel to expand their growing fleet and provide capability at remote parts operated by the Port of Townsville.

Port of Townsville required a vessel that could sustain longer runs, that could stay anchored in-between transfers, with option for pilots to rest on the day bed located within the wheelhouse, when not in use the day bed doubles as extra bench seating.
The chosen propulsion system was the VEEM Props 5 Blade with the standard high performing package
Yanmar 6HYM -WET engines with twin disc MGX 5126A 2.04:1 gearbox connected to Veem 5 blade propellers.
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Pilot Boat DEURLOO (Westerschelde Vlissingen - NL), Access to Antwerp

published on 30 May 2025

Pilot Boat in Action
Westerschelde Vlissingen NL
Access to Antwerpen

0

Article London Port Authority: Record year for pilotage

by Port of London Authority - published on 13 January 2022

By the end of this year, our sea pilots are set to have undertaken a record number of pilotage acts. The total number is set to exceed 10,700, with almost 99% of the acts completed without delay.

1

Article Hybrid-electric Pilot Boat Delivered in Singapore

published on 9 April 2021

Penguin International Limited has delivered Singapore’s first hybrid-powered ship - a 15-metre, 12-pax aluminium pilot boat christened "Penguin Tenaga".

0

Article Three Pilot Boats for Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA)

by Southern Engineering Co. Ltd (SECO) - published on 18 March 2020

Southern Engineering Co. Ltd (SECO) recently secured a contract from the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to construct and deliver three pilot boats.

0

Video Pilot Vessel "Bjarcas" - Denmark

published on 24 March 2025

Danpilot Bjarcas (MMSI 219029577) Pilot Vessel. Gross Tonnage 16,4. L. 14.83. W. 4.17. Built 1992.Halmatic Ltd.

0

Article Study on Automated Remote Piloting: Basic Elements of Cyber Security

published on 24 November 2022

This article was first published in January 2022: The safety aspects of the maritime autonomy solutions need to be addressed. In order to develop maritime autonomy in the first stage in Finland, the Sea4Value / Fairway (54VF) research program has been established to create automated remote fairway pilotage features in the near future.

2

Video Tugboat Captain Works To Expose Baltimore City Youth To The Maritime Industry

published on 10 September 2020

In the Inner Harbor, a tugboat captain is teaching Baltimore's inner-city youth about the maritime industry.

0

Video Pilot Boarding on RO-RO Ship

published on 5 August 2020

1

Video Boston Pilots

published on 29 July 2024

I'm Bradley Jay, long time Boston broadcaster, and I also love to produce videos of interesting people doing interesting things. Meet the Boston Pilots They do one of the the coolest jobs ever .

0

Video Delaware River Pilot Boat

published on 17 June 2025

Delaware River Pilot Boat Cape Henlopen Transfers Pilot to Cargo Ship Al Wathba - Delaware River - Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania - June 6, 2025

0