Contact
The Association of Maryland Pilots has taken delivery of its fifth Chesapeake Class launch from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, since 2002. The all-aluminum, 52.6-foot launch has a top speed of over 27 knots and is powered by twin Volvo Penta D16 diesel engines.
Delta Launch Services has ordered two new Venice Class pilot launches from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding for the Mississippi River. The first of the 44.3-foot aluminium boats is due for delivery in 2026. The design is based on the yard’s Resilient class and will be fitted with twin Caterpillar C-9.3 engines and Hamilton HTX-30 waterjets.
The Virginia Pilot Association has taken delivery of a new high-speed pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding. The 58-foot all-aluminum launch is the tenth vessel the Somerset, Mass., yard has built for the Virginia pilots since 1983.
Charleston Branch Pilots have returned the 65-foot pilot boat Fort Ripley to Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding for repowering and refit after 10 years of service in Charleston. The Somerset, Massachusetts yard will install three Volvo Penta IPS 1050 propulsion systems and a Seakeeper 40 gyro stabilizer.
Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding has delivered CHELSEA, the first of the Boston Pilots’ two Chesapeake-class pilot boats to undergo a comprehensive refit. The 53-foot all-aluminum launch was rebuilt with new engines, shafts, propellers, electronics and other systems, and the yard said the vessel should gain another 20 years of service.