High-Speed Pilot Boat Delivered By Gladding-Hearn

The Carolina, a 55-foot aluminum pilot boat, was christened recently by Mrs. Ernest F. Hollings, wife of South Carolina's Senator, for the Charleston Branch Pilots Association. The ceremonies at the Carolina Yacht Club in Charleston were attended by the Senator and more than 200 guests, and were followed by a reception hosted by the pilots and their wives.

Prior to the christening, the Carolina had been delivered from Massachusetts where it was on display at the American Pilots Association convention in Boston.

The boat was built by Gladding- Hearn Shipbuilding of Somerset, Mass., and designed by C. Raymond Hunt Associates of Boston.

George Duclos, Gladding-Hearn vice president, and Winn Willard of Hunt Associates represented the builders and designers at the christening ceremonies.

An identical boat, the Palmetto State, is nearing completion at the Gladding-Hearn yard, and will be delivered this year. The two all-aluminum, high-speed boats will allow the pilots association to provide upgraded service for the port of Charleston, according to Association president E. Randall Swan Jr.

The boats' design is based on a high deadrise or deep-V hull for safety and comfort offshore in all weather. They are the first highspeed, all-aluminum boats built by Gladding Hearn in its 25 years of pilot boat construction.

The boats are powered by twin GM Detroit Diesel 8V92 turbocharged engines yielding a 23.5- knot top speed on trials.

The boats are divided into five watertight compartments with access via watertight doors. Forward is a crew's quarters and toilet compartment with shower.

The pilothouse is midships forward of a pilots' lounge with complete galley. Aft is the pilots' sleeping quarters.

Carolina and Palmetto State share many modern features, including cabin top boarding platform platform, automatic Halon fire-extinguishing system, housetop plexiglass dome for 360 surveillance from the helm, reverse cycle airconditioning, radar and three VHF radios, full perimeter rubber fendering, microwave cooking, tinted safety glass, red night lighting, and thick, resilient rubber flooring.

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 43, Dec 15, 1980

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.