Rodi Marine Service, Lafayette, La., has signed a contract with Swiftships to build two additional 175'-class DP-2 fast supply vessels (FSVs) in support of its continued expansion into the oil and gas industry. The two additional vessels is an extension of the two-boat order made by Rodi Marine in 2013. Earlier this year Morgan City, La.-based Swiftships delivered Rodi Marine’s first newbuild, the Riley Claire, a 180'×30'×13'6", 7,200-hp DP-2 FSV. Top speed is 33 knots light and 25 knots loaded. The Riley Claire was part of a two-boat order. The second vessel, the 180' Mason G, was scheduled for delivery in January. The four FSVs will add to Rodi's existing fleet. The two new vessels are scheduled to be ready for operation by early to mid-2016.
In December, the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority (SSA) awarded a $36.4 million contract for the construction of a new passenger/vehicle ferry, the Woods Hole, to Conrad Shipyard, Morgan City, La. Conrad was the low bidder for the contract to build the 384-passenger, 55-vehicle, 235'×64'×18'6" ferry, designed by Elliott Bay Design Group. SSA, Woods Hole, Mass., also received a bid of $41 million from Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Panama City, Fla. As of Dec. 12, Conrad has a backlog of $170 million, compared to $135 million on Sept. 30 and $153 million on Dec. 31, 2013.
The Maid of the Mist VI, an iconic passenger boat and flagship of the Maid of the Mist Steamship Co. at Niagara Falls, N.Y., is now running with new engines, thanks to a recent repowering by Lake Erie Ship Repair and Fabrication, Jefferson, Ohio. The original pair of 350-hp Volvo Penta engines was replaced with new 400-hp Volvo Penta diesel engines. And because the new Tier 3 engines require more efficient cooling, that system had to be upgraded, as well. The old cable controls were also replaced with a fly-by-wire system.
MarineGroupBoat Works, San Diego, was recently awarded three Navy contracts to build five small steel tugboats, six large steel workboats and 16 60' aluminum dive boats, for a total of 27 new vessels with a value over $45 million. Upon completion, the workboats will be delivered to Navy Base Yokohama, Japan, as well as Navy bases in the U.S. In a fourth separate Navy contract, Marine Group will dismantle and dispose of two 224' Avenger-class ships built in the mid-1980s — USSAvenger and USS Defender.
Jensen Maritime Consultants has designed an aluminum catamaran research vessel, currently out for bid, for King County Environmental Lab located in Seattle. The vessel will operate in Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the adjoining inland waterways around Washington state.
