Pilot Boats

Starting with Brandywine, built for the Pilots of the Bay and River Delaware in 1957, Gladding-Hearn has built more than 100 pilot boats, operating in the United States and the Caribbean. They include over 30 of its popular 53-foot Chesapeake class, along with its latest Chesapeake class MKII launch.

The shipyard’s long association with Ray Hunt Design (formerly C. Raymond Hunt Associates) led to the first deep-V pilot boat hull, which cut commuting times in half and permitted safe boarding at higher speeds. Now the industry standard, Gladding-Hearn’s all-aluminum pilot boats – ranging in length from 40-foot harbor launches to 75-foot station vessels – are characterized by a soft, dry ride, steady tracking, maneuverability, rugged construction, low upkeep, and comfort.

Our different classes of pilot boats can also be customized to the local geography and operating conditions, such as run length, sea state, climate, and boarding practices. Some pilots run 30 miles offshore, while others operate just a few miles from shore. Some pilot boats, like our Chesapeake class, are high-speed shore-based launches, often with a ride-control system, and are driven by either propellers, water jets, or IPS pods. Larger, more complex offshore vessels may also be equipped with a stabilizing gyro to reduce roll at all speeds and improve pilot safety and comfort. Our new Baltimore class launch is designed for harbor service. With a top speed of 30 knots, the launch is faster than most larger pilot boats. The squared-off and fendered bow improves safety when transferring pilots at docks and moored ships. Ultimately, all pilot boat designs do the same thing: safely put a pilot on a ship. Hull shape, large foredecks and side-decks, excellent fendering, visibility, and handrail placement are all optimized for this purpose.