L.K. Mitchell - Exhaust Refit.
Darglow make Falmouth pilot cutter L.K.Mitchell smother, quieter and faster!
What we did:
The Falmouth Harbour Commissioners pilot vessel
'L.K. Mitchell' has just undertaken a major refit at Pendennis shipyard, installing a pair of 550 hp Scania diesels.
Darglow were commissioned by Pendennis to design and supply a complete exhaust system to handle the increased power and still keep exhaust noise to a minimum. on trials the back pressure was well within Scania’s limits and exhaust noise levels were low.
Darglow were also given the task to supply the correct size propeller to match the new engine power, the result was slight better than we predicted with 21.8 knots recorded on trials with zero vibration.
A bit of history:
In April 1973 Captain Mitchell then Falmouth’s senior pilot dived fully clothed off the pilot boat Landward in the Carrick Roads to save a man and a boy who were in danger of drowning. He managed to grab hold of the 11 year old and despite being given artificial respiration on the pilot boat the youngster later died in hospital. Captain Mitchell was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s Testimonial on vellum for bravery.
A year later in September 1974 whilst boarding the P&O ferry Eagle some three miles off Falmouth in heavy weather Laurie lost his life. He fell into the water after attempting to board the ferry from the pilot boat Kernow in heavy seas. The harbour tug St Agnes was nearby and raced to the scene. First mate Mike Tuffery, who now serves with the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners as a coxswain dived overboard from the tug in gale force conditions to try and save Captain Mitchell. He managed to get hold of him but due to the rough sea the tug was unable to recover the pilot.
A Royal Navy helicopter later recovered Captain Mitchell’s body.
In May 1978 Maureen Mitchell officially named the LK Mitchell at Customs House quay.
Since then the LK Mitchell has been through hell and high water operating in the worst conditions nature can throw at any vessel.
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