Shipbuilding News October 2021

Eastern Shipbuilding cuts steel on third Coast Guard OPC
Construction on the third Coast Guard Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter (OPC) has begun at Eastern Shipbuilding in Florida.

Shipyard workers cut steel for the future USCGC Ingham (WMSM-917) at Eastern’s Allanton facility to commemorate the start of the build process. Those plates were later taken to Eastern’s Nelson Street yard, which is dedicated to the OPC project.

“We are excited to begin the construction of USCGC Ingham, the third vessel of the Heritage-class OPC program,” Joey D’Isernia, president of Eastern Shipbuilding Group, said in a statement. “Our dedicated workers and subcontractors are delivering exceptional quality and speed every day. It is our highest priority to get these superior vessels to the men and women of the USCG so that they can carry out their important missions around the globe with greater capability and effectiveness.”

Eastern is making steady progress on the lead Heritage-class cutter, USCGC Argus, which is on time and on budget. And in May the yard laid the keel for the second ship in the series, the future USCGC Chase. The yard also has purchased long-lead-time materials for the fourth ship in the class.

More details on the project can be found here.

 

Silver Ships wins $8.2M order for patrol craft
Silver Ships has won a contract with Naval Sea Systems Command worth $8.2 million for the construction of U.S. Navy support craft and Coast Guard special purpose craft. 

The agreement also covers accessories, parts and training. Contract options could bring the total award value to $51.6 million for 110 vessels, the Theodore, Ala., builder said in a news release. 

The contract calls for five different vessel variants, all of which are based on Ambar series RHIBs, the company said. The designs were developed in-house, and the new vessels will be completed over the next five years. 

For more details on the agreement, click here.

 

Robert Allan Ltd. designs methanol-fueled CTV
Naval architects at Robert Allan Ltd in Vancouver, B.C., have developed plans for a crew transfer vessel (CTV) that will run entirely on methanol fuel.

The vessel was developed in concert with the Carbon Trust and Offshore Wind Accelerator program. 

According to Robert Allan Ltd., the 78-foot RAptor 2400 CTV would be powered by four 600-hp Scania main engines, and its top speed is projected to exceed 25 knots.

Methanol produces less carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide emissions than traditional marine diesel. Yet unlike liquefied natural gas, methanol does not need to be stored in special cryogenic tanks, reducing up-front costs and space needed for large tanks.

Further environmental benefits are possible with the development of so-called “green” methanol from low-carbon and renewable sources. 

Click here for more details on the design and potential benefits from methanol fuel.

 

Gladding-Hearn delivers launch for federal pilots
The Associated Federal Pilots of Venice, La., have taken delivery of a new pilot launch from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding in Somerset, Mass. The vessel is called Capt. Bob Moore.

The 52.6-foot Chesapeake-class launch developed by Ray Hunt Design is powered by two 641-hp Volvo Penta engines, with Humphree interceptors for enhanced ride and trim control. Electrical power comes from a single Northern Lights genset. 

Other features include Llebroc seats, twin HVAC units and boarding platforms on the bow and pilothouse roof. 

More on Capt. Bob Moore can be found here.

By Professional Mariner Staff