Elevating electric pilot design

Short of a return to the days of sail and Bristol Channel pilot cutters, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of pilotage operations presents few straightforward challenges. 

When evaluating candidate duty cycles for vessel electrification, harbour pilotage presents challenges that have often placed the concept in the ‘too difficult’ category for many ports.

Duty cycles
Pilot boat operating profiles demand short, intense bursts of high-speed transit interspersed with low-speed manoeuvring and idling alongside ships – a duty cycle that, at a cursory glance, looks like it could be somewhat suited to battery storage.

Yet, the hydrodynamic realities of pilot transfers have historically rendered pure battery electric propulsion impractical. Heavy semi-displacement hulls require significant shaft power to overcome wave-making resistance, leaving electrified conventional workboats with severely constrained operational ranges.

To break this trade-off, Belfast-based Artemis Technologies has introduced the Artemis EF-12 Pilot, the world’s first 100% electric foiling pilot vessel. Classified under Lloyd’s Register Special Service Craft (+100A1 SSC Pilot Hydrofoil G3) and compliant with Edition 3 of the MCA Workboat Code, the 12m craft aims to achieve zero-emission operation without compromising speed or seaworthiness.

Rather than relying solely on battery density improvements, the Artemis EF-12 Pilot’s primary efficiency gain stems from