Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands christens the boat 'Polaris' at the Cruise Terminal Rotterdam.
Conoship's member shipyard Barkmeijer had earlier launched Pilot Station Vessel ‘Polaris’ (NB 324).
This vessel design is the result of close collaboration between the Dutch Pilot Organisation, Barkmeijer Shipyards and Conoship International. Special attention was paid to motional behaviour in typical all year round North Sea environment.
Conoship developed the new hull lines in collaboration with SasTech, and the excellent sea keeping characteristics were confirmed in the extensive model testing program at MARIN.
The vessel has already commenced operations for the Dutch Pilot Organisation, and two sister pilot boats will follow her in 2013 and 2014 respectively.