Seaward Nelson 42 Pilot Boats and Service Launches

A good number of Nelson 42 pilot boats and service launches are providing sterling service, day in and day out, around the world. They are noted for their exceptionally soft ride, excellent handling in difficult sea conditions and for their predictable handling during ship boarding. They are built to Classification Society-approved drawings and are fitted-out to comply with the customer’s local flag approvals.

Each new Seaward Nelson 42 Pilot Boat benefits from decades of experience that the company has in the design and build of this type of specialist craft. Robustly built, well-gendered and produced with maintainability in mind, they provide their operators with the ideal tool for this particularly demanding job.

The Seaward Nelson 42 is available with a fixed or resiliently-mounted wheelhouse, with seating for 6 or 8 and a choice of forward or aft raked screens. Various engines options are available, providing operating speeds up to 25 knots.

Seaward also builds a Service Launch version of the Nelson 42, ideal for coastal patrol and multi-role applications.

Seaward specialises in the design and build of rugged boats for discerning users who seek the ultimate in reliable performance. Today’s Seaward Nelson 40 and 42 Pilot Boats are the result of a constant evolution of these well-proven designs, incorporating all the latest build techniques that we have developed.

Over more than forty years Seaward’s current management team has been involved in the build of numerous pilot boats, both of the Nelson type and others that were optimised for different purposes, such as RIBS and other (often hard chine) hull forms. This experience, enhanced by the incorporation of much user feedback into the well-proven Nelson hull forms, results in today’s ideal all weather pilot boats.

The Nelson 42 has significantly more beam and volume than the 40. It appeals to operators requiring a more spacious boat with additional accommodation for a higher number of personnel. It also lends itself to slightly higher service speeds.

Classification:

The vessel’s hull, deck and superstructure are to be designed, built and certificated in accordance with Rina rules.

Engines:

Due to your positive experience with Volvo engines and to the excellent local support that they provide you we propose Volvo D9s for the 42.

Foam Elastomer Top Fender:

Included in the proposal is the latest Seaward foam elastomer top fender that gives a number of advantages including better shock absorption, increased spacing from the ship side, a small increase in dryness and a saving in weight. These are specially made, very strong, sectional fenders, bonded to the hull over an effective L shape at the deck edge, incorporating a toe rail. This also removes the downside of leaks that can develop with bolted fenders. Both the recent builds for La Coruna and Genoa are fitted with this type of fender.

Pusher Bow:

Many pilot boats are occasionally asked to assist with pushing ships and also come bow-on to quay sides to collect personnel. Our boats feature a well-fendered rounded bow to better protect them during such manoeuvres.