Leevac Shipyards, Jennings, La., has delivered the second of two Robert Allan-designed Z-Tech 2400 tugs. The 80'×38'×15'9" Zeus was delivered to Suderman & Young Towing Co., Houston, in December which followed the delivery of the Chloe K in September to Bay-Houston Towing. For power, a pair 3516C HD Caterpillar engines, each rated 2,575 hp at 1,600 rpm, drive Schottel SRP1215 Z-drives. At sea trials, the tugs hit 12.3 knots and had 61 MT of bollard pull. Markey Machinery, Seattle, provided the electric hawser winch on one end. A 60-ton tow bitt is on the other end.
Willard Marine, Anaheim, Calif., has delivered two fiberglass rescue boats to the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). The RIBs are SEA FORCE 670 SOLAS fast rescue boats (FRBs) and were built for the 418' passenger/ro-ro ferry Columbia. Each 22' 670 FRB has an inboard 230-hp diesel engine with a waterjet and can carry up to nine passengers. Willard is also supplying two SEA FORCE 490 SOLAS RIBs for the AMHS fast vehicle ferries Fairweather and Chenega.
Elliott Bay Design Group, Seattle, has been awarded a multiple-phase project to design a new freight and passenger ferry for Massachusetts-based Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket Steamship Authority (SSA). The single-ended vessel will measure approximately 235', have a total passenger capacity of between 384 and 512, and a car deck that will accommodate 50 standard vehicles or 10 tractor-trailer combinations. The vessel will have a target speed of 16 knots and will include a bowthruster.
In February, VT Halter Marine launched the Denise A. Bouchard, a 112'×35'×17' ATB tug for Bouchard Transportation Co., Melville, N.Y. The 4,000-hp tug is equipped with an Intercon coupler system. The ATB tug will be paired with the 399'×74'×28'6", 80,000-bbl. B. No. 284 barge and enter Bouchard’s New York fleet.
Vigor Fab, Portland, Ore., will build two 83,000-bbl. ATB barges for Harley Marine Services, Seattle. The 422'×76'×27' tank barges, designed by Elliott Bay Design Group, will be among the largest vessels constructed for Harley’s fleet. Deliveries are scheduled for 2015.
