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[Colin Bishop]

These shots were taken heading out of Aelsund, Norway into a force 8 gale. The accompanying vessels are the local pilot boat and tug - the latter presumably ready to pick up the pilot if he fell overboard leaving our ship!

[Malcolm Reade]

I'm quite taken with this breed of Pilot Cutters.  Don't think I've ever seen a model of one built though?

Do they use the same hulls/superstructure as some lifeboats?

Can anybody offer any input?

Malc

[Colin Bishop]

I don't know, Malc, but it would certainly make an attractive model subject. Performance of the real thing was really impressive, bash on regardless. The harbour tug was interesting too, you don't usually see them taking it green over the bow or with the forefoot out of the water. I was up on top of the bridge of our ship and had a bird's eye view - a bit windy though!

[cbr900]

It looks like the tug was travelling very well to have caught the lifeboat, apparently some tugs do motor along very well...


Roy

[Colin Bishop]

Roy,

The tug was trailing until our ship slowed down to let the pilot off. The pilot launch was dancing all over the place and I reckon the driver was having a ball. The tugmaster just kept ploughing on regardless, probably making around 12 knots or so. As we got out into the North Sea the sea state worsened - just like being on a 700ft see-saw but she didn't roll much and the crockery stayed on the dining table!

[Ash]

Hi,

My favourite pic of bad weather!

Ash

[Ghost in the shell]

It looks like the tug was travelling very well to have caught the lifeboat, apparently some tugs do motor along very well...


Roy

with all that power, and running empty, rather than with a 40,000ton ship in tow, they should shift, if they cant then something is wrong

[Colin Bishop]

with all that power, and running empty, rather than with a 40,000ton ship in tow, they should shift, if they cant then something is wrong

Yes they do - up to a point. But a tug is a pretty blunt instrument and extra power will not be reflected in higher speed once the ship has reached maximum hull speed which is probably not above 15 knots at most.

[cbr900]

Still that low to the water and moving along that well in a good sea, I think a change of undies would be in order..>

Roy