Glosten to design station boats for San Francisco to meet strict emissions standards

Glosten worked with San Francisco Bar Pilots in 2007, providing engineering support and construction oversight of the third San Francisco-class 32-m pilot station boat Drake.

Glosten’s support of the new station boats includes a propulsion feasibility study, which is currently underway, and a contract design package. Drake and San Francisco-class station boats San Francisco and California each have two Cat 3508C main engines, rated at a total of 2,200 hp at 1,600 rpm.

Among the specifications for the new vessels are excellent seakeeping and manoeuvrability, a 25-knot cruising speed, improved crew ergonomics and cabin sound proofing for noise reduction, and the ability to use shore power. Potential propulsion solutions for loitering with Tier 4 engines could be full diesel electric, parallel hybrid-electric, battery energy storage and Pod or L-drive systems.

“We are thrilled to be working with a longstanding client who shares our commitment to marine decarbonisation,” said Glosten president Morgan Fanberg.

San Francisco Bar Pilots is slated to be the first pilot association in California to acquire vessels that will meet CARB’s Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation. The first two station boats are expected to be in service by the end of 2024, with the third in service by the end of 2025.

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