PILOT BOAT REACHES KEEL LAYING WITH ADVANCED COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

A radical new design of pilot vessel being built using some of the most advanced computer-aided design and manufacturing techniques available has reached the keel laying stage on target.

Mustang Marine (Wales) Ltd, based in Pembroke Dock, West Wales, is building the 19-metre Skomer, a futuristic new £1m pilot boat for Milford Haven Port Authority. It has been designed by leading British designer Camarc Ltd using its proven, innovative double chine hull shape to be fast and nimble.

The boatbuilding firm has taken delivery of all the steelwork needed for the framing, plating and decking, as well as the aluminium components for the vessel’s wheelhouse.

All the components have been produced using the kind of computer-aided technology normally associated with shipbuilders rather than boatyards.

The design of the boat was modelled on computer, and the information sent direct to the computers of a plasma arc cutter and a laser cutting machine for precision manufacturing. All the elements are now on site and being assembled on site like a giant 3-D jigsaw – starting with the keel.

Dick Morgan, of Mustang Marine, said that as well as the speed and accuracy of the computer-aided route, the hull and the wheelhouse were being assembled separately.

“Because the wheelhouse will eventually be fitted to the deck on rubber mounts to reduce the effect of vibration, we can assemble and fit it out separately – we don’t have to wait for the hull and deck to be ready before we start on it,” he said.

“Combined with our use of some of the most sophisticated computer-aided design and manufacturing technology in use in any boatyard in the UK, it all means a very quick and efficient build.

“We are due to receive the engines at the end of August, and the vessel is due for completion at the end of the year.”

Skomer has been designed as a fast and responsive craft which will provide quicker access to ships to deliver pilots on board, a continuation of the trend towards improved customer service set by the Port Authority’s purchase of Robert Hastie four years ago.

The 10-person, 50 tonne vessel is designed to have a minimum service life of 15 years, and will have a number of additional features including environmentally-friendly holding tanks for waste water, and advanced engines and control systems.

Milford Haven Port Authority harbourmaster Mark Andrews said he was delighted with the progress on the contract.

“This is a significant investment for us, not just because the value of the project is in excess of £1m, but because Skomer will mean that we can maintain the high standards of service and safety which our customers expect from us.”