Professional Mariner – April 2024

Steiner Shipyard delivers M/V Kristy Dutsch

The river towboat Kristy Dutsch is now working the inland waterways for Florida Marine Transporters (FMT) from its homeport in New Orleans. The 76-foot by 35-foot steel-hulled vessel was designed by Sterling Marine and built by Steiner Shipyard at its Bayou La Batre, Al. facility. Kristy Dutsch is the fifth boat in a series of six identical boats built for FMT…

Eastern Shipbuilding to complete MPSV construction

Panama City Fla.-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group has been awarded a contract to complete construction of two ultra-high-spec 400 Class Multipurpose Support Vessels (MPSVs) for Hornbeck Offshore Services (HOS). The contract comes as the result of a lengthy, back-and-forth legal tussle. The newbuilds were originally started by Gulf Island Shipyards in Houma, La. before Hornbeck terminated the shipyard construction contracts in…

Gladding-Hearn receives new ferry order

Key West, Fl.-based Yankee Freedom has ordered a new, high-speed catamaran ferry from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation for passenger service on the 70-mile run between Key West and Dry Tortugas National Park. The all-aluminum vessel will replace Yankee Freedom III, a 250-passenger catamaran built by the Massachusetts-based shipyard in 2012. The new larger vessel, designed by Incat Crowther, will measure…

New Coastal Cat delivered to ACL

The 100-guest American Glory, American Cruise Lines’ newest Coastal Cat, is operating on the company’s new ‘Florida Gulf Coast and Keys’ itinerary and will sail on various itineraries to destinations along the U.S. East Coast throughout this year. Built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s yard in Salisbury, Md., the new vessel passed trials “with flying colors,” and is the second of 12 Coastal…

Silver Ships builds new craft for Virginia fire agency

Silver Ships recently delivered its first Endeavor 32-class fireboat, designed for Norfolk Fire-Rescue (NFR) in Norfolk, Va. The multi-mission boat will serve the city of Norfolk, as well as the Port Authority, and “further support and advance the fire service and EMS response missions of Norfolk Fire-Rescue and be utilized not only for firefighting, but patient treatment and transport, water rescue emergencies,…

Alice joins the Crounse fleet

Paducah, Ky.-based Crounse Corporation has taken delivery of the 6,034 hp M/V Alice. Deemed “one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly marine vessels operating on the inland waterway system,” the new 166-foot towboat was built at Conrad Shipyard LLC, Morgan City, La. Alice is powered by two General Electric Tier 4 diesel engines coupled to Reintjes gears and equipped with Cummins generators, a…

New crew transfer vessel joins A-O-S fleet

American Offshore Services has taken delivery of Gripper, a Jones Act compliant aluminum catamaran specifically built to support the U.S. offshore wind industry. Gripper is the first crew transfer vessel (CTV) in the A-O-S fleet. Built by Blount Boats in Warren, R.I., the new vessel is based on Northern Offshore Services’ 30-meter G-class design and features a Volvo Penta’s IPS…

Maine VFD receives new Ribcraft rescue craft

Marblehead, Ma.-based Ribcraft has delivered a 16-foot Ribcraft 4.8 to the Greene Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD) in Greene, Me. The specialized rigid inflatable boat (RIB) “significantly expands the department’s response capabilities while providing a safe platform for rescue missions,” the company said, adding that it had worked with the department to build a boat “that met and exceeded all of the…

Yamaha develops hydrogen outboard motor

Yamaha Motor Corp. has unveiled the world’s first hydrogen-powered outboard motor, along with a prototype fuel system integrated into a vessel that the company plans to refine for testing later this year. The new motor is part of Yamaha’s corporate strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by deploying multiple technology solutions. The company announced its hydrogen outboard project last December. Yamaha collaborated…

Austal USA Announces Major Yard Expansion

Shipbuilder Austal USA has begun the design phase for an expansion of its Mobile, Ala. shipyard that includes construction of a new assembly building, waterfront improvements, and a Pearlson-designed shiplift system. Work on the project is expected to begin this summer and, when completed, “will allow the company to haul out large ships for maintenance; fulfill more than $6 billion…