Shipbuilding News, May 2015

Kvichak to build two passenger ferries for San Francisco

Kvichak Marine Industries, a Vigor Industrial company, announced the award of a contract by San Francisco’s Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) for the design and construction of two all-aluminum 400-passenger ferries.

The new passenger-only vessels will replace two of WETA’s 12-vessel fleet that are approaching the end of their expected life. “The vessel replacement project is part of the ongoing fleet renewal process, which will enable WETA to provide reliable service across our system and enhance our customers’ experience when traveling or commuting across the bay,” said Nina Rannells, WETA executive director. “We look forward to working with Kvichak to enhance our fleet of passenger ferries.”

Designed by Incat Crowther of Australia, the 135-by-38-foot all-aluminum catamarans will feature MTU 12V-4000 M64+ Tier-3 engines rated 1,950 bhp at 1,830 rpm, coupled with ZF7600 reduction gears as the propulsion system. An exhaust aftertreatment system will be included. 

Kvichak awarded Nichols Brothers Boat Builders the subcontract to provide the bolt-on superstructure for the project. From 2007 to 2010, the two companies collaborated on the delivery of four 118-foot environmentally friendly ferries to WETA. Those boats are currently in service in the San Francisco Bay area. 

The new vessels will be the 700th and 701st vessels built by Kvichak and are anticipated to be in service the summer of 2017.

Washburn & Doughty delivers Kirby Moran

Washburn & Doughty Associates Inc., of East Boothbay, Maine, launched Hull #112, Kirby Moran, for Moran Towing of New Canaan, Conn., on April 18.

The new tug is the latest in an ongoing series of 93-foot azimuthing stern drive ship docking tugs designed and built for Moran by the Maine yard.

Kirby Moran has a beam of 38 feet and a draft of 15 feet, 6 inches. The 6,000-hp tug is powered by twin EMD 12-710G7C Tier-3 engines linked to two Schottel SRP 1515FP z-drive units. It has an ABS Classification of A-1 Towing Service +AMS.

Deck equipment includes a Markey foredeck line winch with an integral fairlead and foredeck controls.

The tug is named for Kirby Child, granddaughter of Paul and Lee Tregurtha. Paul Tregurtha serves as chairman of Moran Towing. Kirby’s older sister, Hayley, whose namesake, Hayley Moran, serves the fleet in Port Arthur, Texas, christened the tug.

Kirby Moran will serve the company’s New York fleet, which is managed by Moran Vice President of New York and Offshore Operations Peter R. Keyes.

World’s first LNG-fueled containership launched

Shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO launched and christened Isla Bella, the world's first LNG-fueled containership, on April 18. It was the 100th launch at NASSCO's San Diego shipyard.

More than 3,400 shipbuilders, their families and others attended the special event at the yard. The ship's sponsor, Sophie Sacco — wife of Michael Sacco, president of the Seafarers International Union of North America, AFL-CIO — christened the ship with a traditional champagne bottle break over the ship's hull.

The ship is the first of two 3,100-TEU, 764-foot, LNG-fueled Marlin-class Jones Act containerships on order for TOTE, which will deploy them on its Puerto Rico services.

The launch also marks a milestone in marine diesel history. Isla Bella's main engine is the world's first dual-fuel slow-speed engine: an 8L70ME-GI built by Korea's Doosan Engine, under license from MAN Diesel and Turbo.

With breasting barges project, Vigor enters newbuild market

Vigor Industrial's Tacoma, Wash., shipyard has added newbuilding to its capabilities. Fabrication teams at the yard have delivered three 60-by-24-by-15.5-foot breasting barges to Foss Maritime.

The barge system will be used to moor Shell's drill rigs at Terminal 5 in Seattle, where the oil company is scheduled to ready its fleet for Arctic drilling this summer.

The project was completed in less than two months and created 60 jobs for the Tacoma yard and its subcontractors.

"We are so pleased that our Tacoma shipyard is now building new vessels," said Bryan Nichols, Vigor Fab sales manager. "Over the years, Tacoma teams have earned a stellar reputation for quality commercial ship repair and major refits. Adding newbuilds to its resume increases our capacity in the region." 

The Vigor Tacoma shipyard is no stranger to complex fabrication. In the last few years, the yard has completed major refits including mid-body extensions for two Coastal Transportation vessels. Vigor teams added 164 tons of steel to the freight carrier Coastal Progress, increasing its length by 46 feet. Similar work was later done on its sister ship, Coastal Nomad.

Seattle-based Trident Seafoods chose Tacoma for a major refit of the F/V Pacific Ram. Sponsoning added 5 feet to each side of the catcher and a new bulbous bow was installed for added efficiency. The vessel’s fish hold capacity was increased by 35 percent and its seakeeping and stability improved. 

Boston Ship Repair awarded Navy MSC contract

Boston Ship Repair LLC of Boston is being awarded a $9,315,047 firm-fixed-price contract for 56-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry-docking of USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196).

Work will include general ship services for ship clean and gas free tanks, voids and cofferdams, hazardous waste disposal, non-destructive testing king post areas, ultrasonic thickness gauging, galley deck resurfacing, main engine governor overhaul, relief valves and pressure vessel testing, recertifying ship’s elevator, cargo ballast pump overhaul, rudder and stern frame exam, propeller system maintenance, annual lifeboat recertification, rescue boat davit recertification, dry-docking and undocking vessel, overhauling sea valves, inspection of bilge keels and underwater hull cleaning.

The contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $10,737,050. Work will be performed in Boston and is expected to be completed by June 25.

Fiscal 2015 maintenance and repair contract funds in the amount of $9,315,047 are being obligated at the time of award. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The contract was competitively procured, with proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Navy’s Military Sealift Command is the contracting agency. 

By Professional Mariner Staff