After taking delivery of the two second-hand Pilot Vessels from Estuary Services Ltd of Ramsgate on 7th November 2012, the boats were craned out the next day and stowed in one of the sheds on East Quay. The Pelorus has spent the last 3 weeks being cleaned and painted, had the signage changed from Ramsgate to Newhaven, had a new fire suppression system fitted, and finally surveyed by the MCA. Given a clean bill of health and passed fully fit for pilotage services, the Pelorus was today craned back in the river and has taken up station as Newhaven's main pilot vessel.
The second vessel, the Pathfinder will remain out of the water as it is surplus to requirements at the present time, thus allowing plenty of time to receive tender love and care from the Pilot Boat Crews to bring her up to full spec.
Both vessels are Halmatic Nelson 44 Class Trinity House Pilot Launches built in 1986.
LOA 13.4m
Beam 4.05m
Draft 1.30m
Displacement 18 tonnes
Complement 6 persons
Engines Twin Volvo TAMD 121C at BHP of 350 each
Max speed 21knots
Fuel Capacity 1300 litres giving approximate endurance of 14 hours at full speed
The are certificated as MCA Category 3, which gives a limit of 20 miles from a safe haven. More than enough to reach the extremity of the proposed Rampion Windfarm and also to the Greenwich Buoy, enabling vessels in the south west bound lane of the Channel Traffic Seperation Scheme to be serviced if required, such as for Deep Sea Pilot transfer, crew changes, etc...
The present Pilot Boat "Magnus Musson", built by Newbury Engineering of Newhaven, has served the Port well over many years and through many storms. She is much loved by Newhaven Pilots, past and present, and the intention is to keep her working in the Port as the back up pilot vessel and general harbour workboat.