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Safehaven Marine's High Speed Trial From Cork to Galway in 'Thunder Child'

29th May 2017
Safehaven Marine’s World Record Attempt vessel Thunder Child off the Skelligs yesterday Safehaven Marine’s World Record Attempt vessel Thunder Child off the Skelligs yesterday Credit: Safehaven Marine/Facebook

Safehaven Marine’s World Record Attempt vessel Thunder Child and her crew of six departed Galway Docks after a trial run up the West Coast of Ireland.

After months of testing, this 350 kilometer run from Cork to Galway along the Atlantic coast is Thunder Childs last long-range test before her record attempt later this summer – the Long Way Round Circumnavigation of Ireland via Rockall.

The crew, under skipper Frank Kowalski, averaged 42–kts. The crew stopped off at the Skelligs off County Kerry for an hour to get some photos (see above).

The new world record bid laster this Summer is being made in the XSV 17, Safehaven's new 60–kt high speed Interceptor. The ‘Long Way Round’ circumnavigation of Ireland via Rockall, will be a near 2,000km voyage including a 1,000km run out into the North Atlantic.

Thunder Child left Galway this morning to return to Cork and she has already been spotted by an Afloat.ie reader off the Cliffs of Moher! 

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About Safehaven Marine 

Safehaven Marine are designers and builders of FRP Pilot boats, Patrol boats, Crew transfer vessels, Hydrographic survey catamarans, Naval & Military craft and unique custom private motor yachts. All our vessels are built to the highest standards of strength & engineering and are renowned worldwide for their exceptional sea-keeping abilities, we set a new World long-range speed record in 2017 with our own vessel and crew. Established in 1996 we have built over 138 vessels supplied to 27 countries worldwide with over 40 pilot vessels in operation globally, and have become leaders in our field.

Based in Youghal, Co Cork Ireland, Safehaven manufacture our vessels from two modern factories, with all design work carried out in house, and built with our own experienced team of engineers, carpenters, electricians, shipwrights and laminators.

Always at the forefront of new technology and designs we continuously develop our range and push the frontiers of design: In 2020 we aim to set a UIM Transatlantic World record with our unique (patent applied for) new 22m high-speed vessel XSV20

Interceptor 42 pilot boat

The Pilot 42 model built by Safehaven Marine has been delivered to ports worldwide and has proved to be a superb sea boat performing admirably in pilotage operations with all owners extolling its virtues of seakeeping, strength and stability.

L.O.A. (Length overall) 13.2m

L.W.L. (Length along waterline) 11.5m

Length moulded (GRP hull only) 12.7

Beam Moulded (GRP only ex fender) 4.0m

Beam overall (Including fenders) 4.4m

Draft (Depth of hull below waterline) 1.35m

Displacement Lightship 14,500kg

Fully loaded 16,000kg

Fuel capacity 1600 litres

Water capacity 110 litres

Crew capacity 5 persons

Engines Volvo D9 425hp

Gearboxes ZF325

Subdivision 4 x separate watertight compartments

Crew capacity 1-2 crew plus 3- 4 pilots

Classification PRS

Speed 23.5kts fully loaded