The following is the text of a news release from St. Johns Ship Building (SJSB):
(PALATKA, Fla.) — On July 28, St. Johns Ship Building (SJSB) launched a 190-foot landing craft, Grand Master II, in front of a crowd of close family and friends in excess of 300 people. This vessel, for Bahamas Ferries, was designed for transport among the Bahamian islands.
With its forward hydraulic bow ramp and 6,400 square feet of cargo space, this vessel is perfectly outfitted for Caribbean transport. Twin 700-hp Cummins QSK19 engines with Schottel rudder propellers power Grand Master II. The vessel will also include a 22-inch electric Westmar bow thruster and two 99-kW John Deere generators. A two-story deckhouse on the aft of the vessel allows for unimpeded cargo room from the bow to stern. The first tier of the deckhouse supports the crew quarters, galley and passenger lounge. The second tier contains the pilothouse and captain’s quarters.
This is the first of three landing crafts St Johns Ship Building plans on delivering to Caribbean transportation groups in the near future. Other projects nearing conclusion at SJSB are the series of eight 100-foot tugboats for Vane Brothers, a 130-foot barge, a house barge, and another 190-foot landing craft.
Click here to view a video of the launch.
