Designing Conversion of OSRV to Pilot Station Vessel for Sandy Hook Pilots
When the Sandy Hook Pilots Association needed to upgrade their existing station vessel, P/B NEW YORK, they turned to JMS Naval Architects for assistance.
The Sandy Hook pilots have been piloting ships in the New York harbor for over 300 years. They operate a pilot station boat by Ambrose Light year round and in all weather conditions. As a result, they require a robust vessel to serve to entrance to New York Harbor, Hudson River, Hell’s Gate and Long Island Sound. The P/B NEW YORK is the largest vessel in the Sandy Hook fleet and has served them well for the past 48 years but is due to be retired. JMS has a long history of providing engineering support for the Sandy Hook Pilots’ vessels and when the 208 foot Oil Spill Response Vessel MAINE RESPONDER became available, the Sandy Hook Pilots Association contracted JMS to provide marine surveying and naval architecture services. JMS surveyed the OSRV MAINE RESPONDER to assess the general condition and suitability to being converted to a pilot station boat. A comparative seakeeping analysis was also performed to determine the OSRV’s motion characteristics while on station. JMS is now performing the engineering and design for extensive modifications to remove the oil recovery systems, add a large deck house for the pilot berthing, lounge and mess and incorporate operational capabilities specific to the pilots’ mission.
