Circle Lines Sightseeing orders steel mono-hulled vessels

(NEW YORK, NY – January 10, 2008) The first of three steel mono-hulled sightseeing boats for NYC-based Circle Lines Sightseeing is under construction at Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding of Somerset, MA.

Designed by Dejong and Lebet, Inc., the sightseeing vessels will take up to 600 passengers at a time on tours of Manhattan Island. The fully loaded vessels will draw eight feet of water on their 12-foot molded depth, and be capable of navigating under the low Harlem River Bridges. The 165×36-foot vessels will have a classic profile with a 22.5-foot airdraft.

A pair of Cummins KTA38M1 main engines developing 1100 hp at 1800 RPM will power the first vessel. The engines will be linked to ZF W3350 gears with 4.497:1 ratios. A pair of Cummins 6CTA powered generators will provide electrical power for each vessel including the 140 hp electric Wesmar dual prop bow thrusters.

The first vessel will be delivered in April 2008, with the second to follow in August and the final boat in March 2009. The new boats will depart from the Pier 83, 42nd St, on two and three hour tours around the Island of Manhattan.

By Professional Mariner Staff