Leevac Shipyards, Jennings, La., recently launched the second of four new platform supply vessels for Lafayette, La.-based AriesMarine. Designed by Leevac, the 270'×56'×21'6" DP-2, FiFi-1, diesel-electric Ram Country will have a deadweight tonnage of 3,800 LT and a maximum draft of 18'3". Capacities will include 261,400 gals. of fuel; 426,300 gals. water; 8,490 cu. ft. bulk material; 12,580 bbls. liquid mud; and 75,400 gals. potable water. The rear cargo deck will have a capacity of 8,200 sq. ft. The diesel-electric propulsion system will feature four Caterpillar 3516C diesel generator engines coupled to Siemens alternators, producing 1,825 kW each, that will drive two Schottel SRP 2020 SP 4-bladed, 106"-dia. Z-drives. The propulsion package will give the new PSV a running speed of 12 knots. There will be accommodations for a total of 32 crew and passengers. Ram Country is scheduled for delivery by the end of the year.
Vigor Fab, Seattle, has been awarded a contract to build a new fireboat for the San Francisco Fire Department. Work on the 88'×25'×14' vessel will begin in the fall. Designed by Jensen Maritime Consultants, Seattle, the fireboat will have a fully loaded top speed of 11.5 knots and room for three crewmembers and four firefighters. The engines will be 750-hp, Tier 3 Cummins QSK19-Ms. Six Stang fire monitors will be supplied with water and foam from three 6,000-gpm fire pumps. The boat is scheduled for a fall 2015 delivery.
The Coast Guard exercised a $255 million option in July for six additional 154'×25'5" Sentinel-class fast response cutters. The option brings the total number of FRCs under contract with Lockport, La.-based Bollinger Shipyards to 30, with a current contract value of $1.4 billion. The FRCs under this contract option are scheduled to be delivered in 2017.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group has delivered the 302'×64'×26' HOS Black Footto Hornbeck Offshore Services ahead of schedule and on budget. The Black Footis the sixth of 10 offshore service vessels under contract for HOS and the second vessel of the HOSMAX 310-series. With a DWT of 6,144 LT, each vessel in the series is diesel-electric powered and twin Z-drive propelled. Power includes four Caterpillar 3516C 16-cylinder Tier 3 diesel generator engines each rated at 1,825 kW at 1,800 rpm. Main propulsion power is provided by two GEEnergy-furnished Hyundai 2,500-kW 690-VAC electric motors driving two Schottel SRP 2020 FP Z-drives for a total of 6,704 hp. Schottel also provided two fixed-pitch tunnel thrusters.
Master Boat Builders delivered the fourth of six 201'×48'×18', DP-2 OSVs to Seacor Marine. Tankage includes 5,000 bbls. of liquid mud; 4,500 cu. ft. bulk mud; and 139,758 gals. fuel. The 2,031-dwt Seacor Fearless has a 144'×38', 600-LT capacity cargo deck. Main propulsion comes from twin Caterpillar 3512C Tier 3 diesel engines, each producing 1,911 hp at 1,600 rpm. The Cats are connected to 82"×70", 5-bladed bronze propellers through Twin Disc MGX-5600 red slip clutch marine gears with 5.04:1 reduction ratios.
In June, Horizon Shipbuilding, Bayou La Batre, Ala., delivered the 2,000-hp towboat Jane Merrick to New Orleans-based Canal Barge Co. Main propulsion for the 74'×32'6"×10'6" towboat comes from twin Cummins K38M diesel engines, each producing 1,000 hp at 1,800 rpm. The mains connect to Kahlenberg 75"×54", 4-bladed, stainless-steel wheels through Reintjes WAF 562 marine gears with 5.95:1 reduction ratios. Capacities include 30,000 gals. of fuel and 11,400 gals. water. The Jane Merrick was designed by Bill Preston at Marine Design Inc., Gulf Breeze, Fla. Horizon also delivered its seventh 140'×42' towboat for Florida Marine Transporters. The Capt. Phillip Box was designed by Gilbert Associates, Hingham, Mass., and is powered by two Cat C-280 engines with a combined 5,400 hp.
Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) has been chosen by the New York Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) to design a new class of ferries for Staten Island Ferry. The new vessels will replace the existing Barberi- and Kennedy-class ferries. The project also includes retrofitting existing Molinari-class ferries with a new propulsion system, something NYC DOT says is necessary to establish consistency between the new ferries and those that will remain in the fleet.
Safe Boats International has been awarded a contract to provide the Navy with four additional 85' Mk VI patrol boats with options for two additional boats. The Mk VI PB is the Navy’s next generation patrol boat and will become a part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command’s (NECC) fleet of combatant craft. Powered by twin diesel engines and waterjets, the Mk VI PB is capable of speeds in excess 30 knots at full load and has a range of over 600 nautical miles. Berthing accommodations, galley and head/shower facilities allow for extended missions. Additionally, the boat is fitted with ballistic protection and can be armed with a variety of crew served and remotely operated weapons systems. Safe Boats was awarded the initial contract for six Mk VI P Bs in 2012 and will deliver the first boat to the Navy later this year.
Burger Boat Co., Manitowoc, Wis., will build a new 89' steel passenger vessel for Wendella Sightseeing Co., Chicago. Styled after other Wendella boats, the new vessel is designed by Timothy Graul Marine Design, Sturgeon Bay, Wis. It will be powered by twin Scania DI13 080M Tier 3 main engines. The boat is scheduled for a June 2015 delivery date.
Harley Marine Services, Seattle, will build two 80' 5,200-hp Robert Allan-designed harbor/escort tugs at Diversified Marine in Portland, Ore. The tugs, which will have about 65 tons of bollard pull, will be the fifth and sixth tractor tugs added to the Harley Marine fleet in the last two years. Delivery is expected in March 2015 and June 2015.
