With its rounded wheelhouses and model bow, the Sea Cyprus may look a bit old-timey, but the metal in the engine room is completely modern. Measuring 75'×28', the new shallow-draft, triple-screw tug was designed and built by Rodriguez Shipbuilding Inc., Bayou La Batre Ala., for Garber Bros. Inc., Morgan City, La. The tug is powered by three 660-hp six-cylinder Cummins Tier 3 QSK19 marine engines and has Twin Disc MGX5222 gears with 6:1 ratios. Depending on the load, draft can be about 8'.
The Tokitae, the first new 144-car ferry for Washington State Ferries, was christened March 20 at Vigor Shipyards in Seattle. Vigor built the center sections of the hull, which were mated with ends fabricated by Jesse Engineering in Tacoma, Wash. Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Freeland, Wash., built the superstructure, which was barged to Seattle and positioned on the hull. The same team is currently working on the second and third boats of this new Olympic class.
Leevac Shipyards, Jennings, La., recently launched the first of four new platform supply vessels for Lafayette, La.-based Aries Marine. Designed by Leevac, the 270'×56'×21'6" DP-2, FiFi-1, diesel-electric Ram Nation 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 has a capacity of 8,200 sq. ft. of freight. The diesel-electric propulsion system on the PSV 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 Nation is scheduled for delivery during the third quarter.
Harley Marine, Seattle, has inked a contract with Vigor Fab, Portland, Ore., for a pair of 83,000-bbl. ATB tank barges. The 422'×76'×27' barges were designed by Elliott Bay Design Group, Seattle. “These vessels will be the ninth and 10th we’ve built for Harley Marine,” said Bryan Nichols, Vigor’s sales and marketing manager. The first tank barge is scheduled for delivery in spring 2015, with the second barge expected that summer.
