Shipbuilding News, June 2017

Vigor delivers ‘green’ fast ferry for San Francisco

The Water and Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) of San Francisco has taken delivery of the first of four efficient, environmentally friendly ferries.

Hydrus is the lead boat in the series of 400-passenger catamarans. The second boat, Cetus, is expected later this year. These high-speed ferries can reach 29 knots and have a service speed of 27 knots, according to Incat Crowther, which designed the vessels. Propulsion comes from MTU 12V 4000 M64 EPA Tier 3 mains each generating 1,453 kW, or about 1,950 hp.

Hydrus is one of the first passenger vessels equipped with an exhaust aftertreatment system to reduce emissions. The system “ensures Hydrus complies with the latest U.S. emissions regulations and is one of the lowest-emission ferries currently operating in North America,” Incat Crowther said.

Vigor began construction on Hydrus and Cetus in 2015, and WETA has since ordered two additional ferries based on the same design. Those two vessels are scheduled for delivery next year.

“The four Vigor vessels will play critical roles in maintaining service reliability in WETA’s planned expansion of the ferry service on the San Francisco Bay,” said Nina Rannells, WETA executive director.

Derecktor launches second hybrid research vessel

New York boatbuilder Derecktor Shipyards has launched its second hybrid research vessel, and the first for Brooklyn College, which is part of the City University of New York.

The 65-foot catamaran, named CUNY I, comes equipped with diesel-electric propulsion supplied by BAE Systems. Electrical power aboard the aluminum vessel comes from lithium-ion batteries. Propulsion comes from twin electric motors turning articulating drives.

“The hybrid is extremely fuel efficient when the diesel motor is operating, and has 300 gallons of fuel capacity,” Derecktor said in a news release.

Last year, Derecktor delivered Spirit of the Sound, built for The Maritime Aquarium of Norwalk, Conn. The Mamaroneck, N.Y., shipyard said CUNY I builds on advances found in that initial vessel. CUNY I will be used for researching Jamaica Bay and Long Island Sound.

New Mississippi River fleet boat to be outfitted with z-drives

Southern Illinois Transfer is building a new z-drive fleet boat at Barbour JB Shipyard to work on the Mississippi and Kaskaskia rivers. The shipyard announced the keel-laying in late May, and the launch is scheduled for early next year.

The 68-by-28-foot vessel will be powered by twin Cummins 750-hp engines turning Veth VZ-700 z-drives. The new towboat will be the first in Southern Illinois Transfer’s fleet with Veth drives, which are distributed by Twin Disc.

The new vessel, which is currently unnamed, will be the eighth boat operated by Southern Illinois Transfer, which is based in Sparta, Ill., and operates around Ste. Genevieve in east-central Missouri. The towboat is part of a fleet expansion for the company, which also is a partner in Barbour JB Shipyard in St. Louis.

The company’s decision to outfit the vessel with z-drive propulsion demonstrates growing acceptance of the units for inland towing. They first appeared on U.S. towboats less than a decade ago.

Gladding-Hearn delivers Circle Line sightseeing vessel

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises of New York City has taken delivery of the second of three sightseeing ships from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding of Somerset, Mass. DeJong and Lebet N.A. of Jacksonville, Fla., provided the design. 

The 165-foot Circle Line Staten Island is powered by twin Cummins QSK-38M1 diesel engines generating 2,600 total hp, according to Gladding-Hearn. The main engines turn 60-inch, five-bladed props through ZF W3355 gearboxes, and a 125-hp Wesmar bow thruster was installed for maneuvering around the dock. Electric power comes from twin 140-kW generators. The top speed is 14 knots.

The vessel has three decks with a variety of seating options with capacity for 599 people. It has three cocktail bars and robust heating and cooling systems to handle changing weather conditions.

In addition to an earlier delivery in this three-boat order, Circle Line also operates three sister vessels that Gladding-Hearn delivered in 2009.

Metal Shark builds patrol boats for Vietnam coast guard

Metal Shark has delivered six military patrol boats to the Vietnam coast guard, a move the company said highlights improved relations between the United States and the Southeast Asian nation. The vessels are similar to models used by the U.S. and other national militaries.

The aluminum Defiant 45 closed-pilothouse vessels built in Franklin, La., will be used to combat smuggling, illegal trafficking, piracy, illegal fishing and other security concerns, Metal Shark said. The U.S. ambassador to Vietnam, Ted Osius, presided over a ceremony formally handing over the boats late last month.

“Vietnam’s future prosperity depends upon a stable and peaceful maritime environment,” Osius said at the ceremony. “The United States and the rest of the international community also benefit from regional stability, which is why we are here today, and it is why we are very pleased to be working together with the Vietnam coast guard.”

The six Defiant 45 vessels are powered by twin Caterpillar C9 engines paired with Hamilton waterjets. Wing closed-cell foam collars protect the hulls. Other specs on the vessels were not available.

By Professional Mariner Staff