en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Port Everglades Pilots conducted an extended four-month sea trial of a 9-meter (29-foot 6-inch) aluminum Rafnar pilot boat powered by twin outboard engines to evaluate whether a smaller, faster pilot boat with outboard engines would be suitable for their operations.
The pilot station has used inboard-powered boats over 40 feet in length for decades. Three years ago, Robert Bodvake founded Disruptor Maritime LLC in Norfolk, Virginia, initially outsourcing manufacturing before opening his own manufacturing facility in May 2025. Disruptor builds aluminum versions using designs from Finnish naval architect and builder Rafnar. Rafnar is known for its ÖK hull, designed by its late founder Össur Kristinsson. This hybrid displacement/deep-V design causes water to flow around the keel, creating pressure under the running surface of the nearly flat aft section, which lifts the stern and keeps the bow down, reducing pounding in waves.
During the sea trial, the pilot boat was equipped with Oxe Marine diesel outboard engines. Port Everglades Pilots Captain David Ulrich stated that the pilot station wanted to try three things through the charter: a smaller pilot boat, a faster pilot boat, and a pilot boat with outboard engines. Outboard engines were once uncommon in the pilotage industry, but an increasing number of pilot organizations are adding them to their fleets. The availability of diesel outboards also reduces refueling barriers, as the pilot station can refuel with diesel just like their other boats, without needing to refuel with gasoline at local docks.
Ultimately, the pilot station determined that the 9-meter Disruptor was not suitable for their operations, primarily because the hull was shorter than traditional pilot boats. Those traditional vessels are mostly over 40 feet long. Bodvake explained that bow space is important for pilots, and sometimes this has become muscle memory. However, the extended test was still considered a success, as the pilot station gained valuable knowledge about what suits their operations.
Captain Ulrich stated that the pilot station liked the extra speed provided by the 40-knot boat, and the drawbacks of the outboard engines were minimal. However, due to the need to operate in all weather conditions, the 9-meter boat was ultimately too small. He expects to see a 40- or 45-foot aluminum Rafnar join the fleet in the future. Rafnar also has 11-meter, 12-meter, and 15-meter designs available for Port Everglades Pilots to adopt in the future.
The 9-meter Disruptor is equipped with an enclosed wheelhouse, an Ullman Dynamics shock-mitigating seat mounted on the centerline, and a helm station equipped with Raymarine electronics. Raymarine developed the Scalable Integrated Navigation System II for the U.S. Coast Guard, which can transmit encrypted data for secure vessel-to-vessel communication. The choice of engine controls and steering systems will depend on customer preference.
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