July 1963
• The Reliance, the first major cutter built since World War II, was christened at the Houston plant of Todd Shipyards Corp., recently. The vessel is a 210' medium endurance patrol craft. Propulsion equipment consists of twin propellers driven by a combination of diesel engine and gas turbine power plant, which will give the cutter a sustained speed of 18 knots and a cruising radius of 5,000 miles at 15 knots.
• Two new 195'×35'×11' semi-integrated covered hopper barges have been added to the fleet of Sioux City and New Orleans Barge Lines Inc., Houston. Built by Dravo Corp., Pittsburgh, the barges each have a cargo capacity of 1,400 tons. Each barge is equipped with weather tight rolling hatch covers. The barge line serves the Missouri River from major connecting waterways.
July 1973
• NABRICO (Nashville Bridge Co.) has delivered the 4,200-hp Luke Burton to Canal Barge Co., New Orleans. The 144'×35'×11' towboat was built to ABS rules. Main propulsion comes from two 12-645E-5 EMD engines.
•Avondale Shipyards, Avondale, La., launched the first of three LASH (lighter aboard ship) ships recently for Delta Steamboat Lines, New Orleans. The 893' ships can carry up to 74 lighters (barges) loaded with 370 tons of cargo each.
• The newest additions to the ferry fleet of the Washington State Highway Commission are jumbo in more than just name — the Spokane and Walla Walla have more than twice the capacity of several of the older vessels in Washington state’s 21-ship fleet. The twin 440'×87'×24'9" Spokane class can carry 2,000 passengers and 206 standard-size cars.
July 1983
• Marco Seattle, Seattle, recently delivered one of its class 1.1 oil skimmers to the Arabian-American Oil Co. (Aramco) at its Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, oil terminal. The Ain Dar I is the first of two 34'×9'9" skimmers bound for Ras Tanura. The boat has a 3'6" draft and is powered by a pair of 90-hp Johnson outboards.
• G&W Industries, Cleveland, recently delivered the 90'×38'×8', ferry Islander. Power is provided by a pair of 12V-71 Detroit Diesel engines. Top speed is 12 mph.
• The Coast Guard buoy tender Scioto and its companion barge are back at work following an overhaul at Missouri Valley Shipyard, Leavenworth, Kan. Both barge and tender were hauled out late last year. Among the major work items was the sandblasting and repainting of each hull.
