£1.6 Million Atlantic Joins Falmouth Harbour as State-of-the-Art Pilot Boat

Published On: 29 October 2024Last Updated: 29 October 2024By CornishStuff

Falmouth Harbour welcomes the latest addition to its fleet, the Atlantic, a cutting-edge £1.6 million pilot boat aimed at modernising services and enhancing sustainability.

A Major Investment for Falmouth

Falmouth Harbour recently celebrated a significant milestone with the arrival of the Atlantic, a £1.6 million, state-of-the-art pilot vessel. Built by Holyhead Marine in North Wales, the Atlantic marks one of Falmouth’s most substantial investments in nearly two decades, underscoring the Trust Port’s commitment to modernising its fleet.

After a competitive tender, Holyhead Marine was selected to build the Atlantic, which has been designed with the latest in fuel-saving technology and safety features. This new 16.6-metre vessel is now operational and is anticipated to serve the harbour for the next 20 to 30 years.

“Our pilot boat crews work throughout the year, in all weathers and conditions, to keep our Harbour open and safe to shipping, and they deserve the best equipment we can buy,” shared Falmouth Harbour CEO Miles Carden. “We are very excited to welcome Atlantic into our pilot fleet – she will be an incredible asset.”

Replacing the LK Mitchell

The Atlantic replaces the ageing LK Mitchell, a 46-year-old vessel that retired in September. Following a 17.5-metre Nelson 56 model, the LK Mitchell has been rehomed for a gentler commercial role in Campbeltown on Scotland’s west coast. Meanwhile, the Atlantic will now work alongside Arrow, Falmouth Harbour’s other modern pilot vessel, ensuring complete coverage and service in all weather conditions.

The Falmouth Pilot Services, a branch of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, operates both vessels. Covering areas from Black Head to the Dodman, including Falmouth Bay and the Helford River, the service provides 24/7, 365-day pilotage to maintain safe and efficient maritime operations.

Efficiency and Environmental Commitment

A key feature of the Atlantic is its environmentally conscious design, in line with Falmouth Harbour’s sustainability goals. The vessel operates with twin 6-cylinder turbocharged 600hp Scania engines and utilises a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 74%. Once trials are complete, the Atlantic will run on hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), which could cut carbon emissions by up to 90%.

“With the Atlantic, we’re not only advancing technology and fuel efficiency but also enhancing sustainability to modernise Falmouth Harbour’s pilotage service,” said Miles, highlighting the port’s environmental strides.

Advanced Design and Future-Proofing

Designed by Camarc, the Atlantic features a resilient-mounted wheelhouse to reduce noise and increase comfort, with forward-raking bonded windows for enhanced visibility. An innovative fender system protects the vessel from impact while distributing loads across the hull for durability and easy maintenance.

The Atlantic’s spacious engine compartment is future-proofed, allowing for potential updates to propulsion technology as sustainable fuel sources evolve. Miles emphasised that this investment “represents our confidence in the future of commercial shipping in our harbour” and equips the port to explore future opportunities in technologies like Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW).

To stay informed on Falmouth Harbour’s updates, including developments related to the Atlantic, visit falmouthharbour.co.uk.