PSA Marine Takes Over First of Four New GP54 Pilot Boats (Singapore)

GP54 is the first unit to be delivered in a new series of four pilot boats built by Cheoy Lee for PSA Marine in Singapore. The original batch order of seventeen 12.5m pilot boats delivered in 1989 has seen many others follow. The latest batch of vessels begins a new chapter as it uses an entirely new hull design.

The original and highly successful 12.5m design, had been stretched to 13.5m and 14.5m, and built with both conventional and jet drives. With the latest requirement for a slightly larger vessel however, it was time to move to a new model. The new hull, a Cheoy Lee design previously used for ferry and harbour launch applications was both longer and 300mm wider than the previous design and made an ideal platform for the latest PSA Marine requirement.

PSA Marine offers pilotage services in and around Singapore and towage services throughout South East Asia. PSA’s tug boat fleet features many Cheoy Lee built Z-Tech tugs, and the organization also operates a fleet of water boats to supply potable water to ships visiting Singapore.

The 15m pilot vessel is constructed to Lloyds class requirements, with a robust yet light resin infused foam cored hull, main deck and superstructure. Performance and ride comfort from this hull form is good. Powered by twin 450hp MAN D2878LE 403 engines, driving through 1.75:1 Twin Disc MGX-5114A gearboxes, GP54 exceeded the contract speed of 25 knots on sea trials, and exhibited excellent sea keeping.

Below deck forward there is a head, galley and dinette area for the crew. The main deck is fitted out to provide seating for eight pilots, in addition to helm seating for the captain on the centerline and navigator to port. All seating is from H.O. Bostrom. Main and lower deck accommodation is air-conditioned, with power coming from a 16kW Kohler generator. The side decks are wide for safe movements around deck, and the large aft deck incorporates two flush engine removal hatches.

The remaining three 15m pilot boats in this order will be delivered at one month intervals over the coming months.

Principal Dimensions: LOA 15.00m / Beam 4.40m / Draft 1.35m

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Source: cheoyleena, June 19, 2012