Eastern gets green light for first offshore patrol cutter
The U.S. Coast Guard has authorized Eastern Shipbuilding to begin construction on the lead offshore patrol cutter (OPC) and acquire propulsion and steering equipment to build the second vessel in the series. The total value of the work exceeds $317 million.
The lead boat, Argus, is scheduled for delivery in 2021. The delivery timetable for the second boat in the series, Chase, was not disclosed. Eastern Shipbuilding is located in Panama City, Fla.
The 360-foot offshore patrol cutters will replace 270-foot and 210-foot medium-range cutters that have long operated in the Coast Guard fleet. The new vessels will be capable of a sustained speed of 22.5 knots, or 14.5 knots for 10,200 nautical miles.
"Recapitalization of the Coast Guard’s aging fleet of vessels, aircraft, systems and support infrastructure remains one of my highest priorities as commandant,” said Adm. Karl Schultz, commandant of the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard plans to build up to 25 OPCs, which will operate in tandem with Coast Guard national security cutters, fast response cutters and polar security cutters (formerly called heavy icebreakers). Taken together, the fleet represents a “layered” security strategy, the Coast Guard said.
Marquette welcomes another triple z-drive towboat
Marquette Transportation has taken delivery of M/V Jerry Jarrett, the third in a series of triple z-drive towboats from C&C Marine and Repair of Belle Chasse, La. CT Marine of Portland, Maine, designed the vessels.
The three towboats in the class are 160 feet by 50 feet and provide 6,600 total horsepower. Propulsion comes from three Cummins QSK60-M main engines paired with Steerprop SP25D z-drives. The vessels each have accommodations for 13 people, and the superstructure is installed over a bed of springs for crew comfort.
The lead boat in the series, Cindy L. Erickson, was completed seven months ago and was followed by Chris Reeves three months later. A fourth boat is expected in December.
“We have been very pleased with the results,” said Josh Esper, executive vice president of Paducah, Ky.-based Marquette Transportation. “C&C Marine and Repair has exceeded our expectations on both quality and production.”
Armstrong delivers two dive boats to Hawaiian operator
Armstrong Marine of Port Angeles, Wash., recently delivered two 32-foot catamarans to Aquatic Life Divers, located on the Big Island in Hawaii. The operator will use the vessels to bring tourists on diving and snorkeling excursions.
Propulsion on the 16-passenger aluminum vessels, Amelia and Johan, comes from twin 300-hp Yamaha outboard engines paired with SeaStar steering systems. Other features include Garmin navigation components and a flybridge helm station.
The new dive boats will be unveiled at a Nov. 3 grand opening party in Honokohau Harbor.
Blount Boats wins contracts for three ferries
Blount Boats has announced contracts to build three new ferries for separate customers in New York state.
The Trust for Governors Island hired Blount and Elliott Bay Design Group to build and design, respectively, a passenger-only ferry serving the island in New York Harbor.
The Warren, R.I., yard also announced a contract to build an 85-foot, triple-screw aluminum ferry connecting Bay Shore and Fire Island on Long Island. The new vessel will be a sister ship to M/V Fire Islander, which was delivered five years ago. Propulsion will come from three 650-hp John Deere engines with ZF marine gears.
The yard also will build a 101-foot steel passenger-vehicle ferry for South Ferry Co. serving Shelter Island, N.Y. Two Caterpillar C18 engines generating 470 hp each will turn four-blade nibral props through Twin Disc MG-516 reduction gears.
Virginia marine institute gets new research vessel
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science has taken delivery of the 93-foot research vessel Virginia. Meridien Maritime Reparation of Matane, Quebec, built the boat, and JMS Naval Architects of Mystic, Conn., designed it.
Propulsion is provided by twin 660-hp Cummins QSK19-M engines coupled with Finnoy marine gears and Finnoy props in nozzles. Virginia also is equipped with a Veth omnidirectional pump-jet bow thruster and Beier Radio dynamic positioning system. Twin 99-kW Kohler generators provide electrical power.
JMS designed the vessel to be affordable to operate, with capabilities that include underwater mapping, fisheries research and general oceanographic studies. Virginia also can be adapted for oil and gas exploration surveys.
Robert Allan Ltd., Dakota Creek win US Navy tug contract
The U.S. Navy has hired Robert Allan Ltd. of Vancouver, British Columbia, to design a new generation of Z-Tech 4500 ship-handling tugboats. The four new boats will be similar to six YT 802 tugboats already in service in the U.S. and Japan.
Dakota Creek Industries of Anacortes, Wash., will build the 90-foot tugs. Propulsion will come from twin Caterpillar 1,810-hp Tier 4 engines paired with Schottel 1012 z-drives. Bollard pull will be at least 40 short tons.
The new tugs will be similar in many ways to the YT 802 class, but with several key differences. These include the Tier 4 engines with aftertreatment systems, and modified fendering systems, according to Robert Allan Ltd.
Construction is set to begin in early 2019. The delivery date of the lead vessel has not been announced.
