Bar pilots of the Pascagoula Bar Pilots Association, Pascagoula, Miss., now ride to work in a new high-speed boat of special design built by Halter Marine Services, Inc., New Orleans, builder of vessels for the offshore petroleum, towing and ocean engineering industries.
The vessel is the 35-foot, all-welded aluminum Pilot No. 2. It is powered by a single General Motors 8V71N diesel engine, and has a deep V-flared hull for maneuvering in rough seas. Its construction is extra heavy for coming alongside ships in the Pascagoula seaway, and for extreme boarding conditions in seas as high as 12 feet. An M4 rubber bumpering system surrounds the vessel for added protection.
The design of Pilot No. 2 also permits boarding off the forward quarter, with the pilothouse positioned aft and amidships for better visibility and control when approaching ships at anchorage.
Auxiliary and navigational equipment installed on the boat includes a Decca 202 radar, radio, Onan 5-kw generator, central air conditioning, a completely outfitted galley and bunks for two. The propeller turns on a 17-4ph stainless-steel shaft. Speed of the Pilot No. 2 is 25 miles per hour.
The Pilot No. 2 is one of three different types of pilot boats developed by Halter Marine Services, Inc., and offered from stock with either single- or twin-screw propulsion. Recently, the company delivered two pilot boats to the government of Pakistan.
The hull and superstructure was built by Halter Marine Services and outfitting was done by Halter Marine Fabricators, Inc., Moss Point, Miss.
Pilot No. 2, built by Halter, operating in Pascagoula River.