Columbia

Columbia seen here outbound into the North Sea into Ijmuiden (Holland) on 22nd October 2007.

The Pilots on this part of the North Sea Canal are part of the Nederlands Loodswezen B.V.organisation and have a web site @ http://wwwe.loodswezen.nl/default.aspx

Particulars for the Columbia are:

Shipyard: Engelaer Shipyard B.V., Beneden-Leeuwen The Netherlands
Type of ship: High Speed Tender
Built: 1999
Main dimensions :* Length o.a. : 21,17 m.
* Length b.p. : 17,41 m.
* Width : 6,34 m.
* Draught : 1,09 m.
Speed: 28 knots
Gross tonnage: 54 GRT
Net Tonnage: 16 NRT
Engines: 2 Caterpillar 12-cylinder 4-stroke diesel engines, type 3412E Ditta, total output 2 x 720 kWh at 2100 r.p.m.
Propulsion:2 water jets make Hamilton, type HM 571 with a reduction gear 1.85:1, make ZF, type BU 250
Generator set 4-cylinder diesel engine, make ONAN, type MDKAE with output of 16 kWh at 1500 r.p.m.
Steering Gear: Electric/hydraulic (wheel and lever)
Classification: American Bureau of Shipping Notation 100A1 Pilot Boat AMS
Certificate of Seaworthiness:Netherlands Shipping Inspectorate
Sailing area: 30 NM of the Dutch coast
Building material:
* two "Sailor" type RT 2048 receiver/transmitters
* Leica DGPS type LMX 400
* GMDSS type Sailor VHR DSC RM 2042
* Raytheon Navtex, type NCR 300 A
* Gyro stabilised "Bridgemaster E" radar + slave
* Gassens&Plath gyro compass + mother/daugther system
* Cassens&Plath T12 Magnetic compass + repeater
* Robertson automatic pilot, type AP9 MK II
* Electric/Hydraulic steering gear for waterjet buckets/nozzles
* Echo sounder
* Norse searchlight
* CSI electronic alarmsystem
* Two liferafts 16 persons each
* Life safety device integrated in aft deck electr./hydr. Operated
* Sufficient firefighting equipment
* Survival suits and life vests
Crew: All ships are operated by a crew of three, consisting of a captain, mate and sailor/engineer.

A fine looking vessel - and FAST!