Gladding-Hearn Delivers NYC Sightseeing Vessel
Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, said it has delivered Circle Line Bronx, the first of three new sightseeing vessels for Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Inc., in New York City.
“The new vessels will offer guests an enhanced sightseeing experience on every level,” according to Costas Markou, president and chief operating officer of New York Cruise Lines. “Notably, visitors will enjoy upgrades in classes of service and the introduction of a variety of new and innovative experiences, including improvements in content and entertainment options, viewing sight lines, as well as enhanced food and beverage selections.”
Gladding-Hearn previously delivery three sister ships to Circle Line in 2009. Like the earlier vessels, the new 600-passenger all-steel vessel Circle Line Bronx, designed by DeJong and Lebet, N.A., in Jacksonville, Fla., measures 165 feet in length and features a 34-foot beam.
With a top speed of 14 knots, the vessel is powered by twin Cummins QSK-38M1 diesel engines, delivering a total of 2,600 hp and connected to ZF W3355 gear boxes, spinning 60-inch, 5-bladed bronze propellers. For dockside maneuvering, the vessel is equipped with a 125 hp Wesmar bow thruster, powered by an electric motor. Two 140 kW generators supply the ship’s service power. The vessel carries 8,200 gallons of fuel and 4,000 gallons of potable water.
The pilothouse is equipped with port and starboard wing stations, in addition to the center console.
Interior accommodations include space for loose seating and tables for 275 passengers in the main cabin. The second deck provides space for seating and tables for another 150 passengers indoors, plus reserved seating for up to 50 VIP passengers, and outdoor seating for 88 passengers. Aft of the pilothouse on the third deck is outdoor seating for 84 passengers under a fixed canopy. The cabins are arranged for significantly improved concession areas, cocktail bars and wheelchair-accessible heads. Heating and air-conditioning is supplied by a 210,000 Btu diesel-fired boiler and six 10-ton water-cooled chillers.
The crew room, located below the main deck, is outfitted with storage cabinets, a refrigerator, shower and head, and walk-in cooler.
Vessel Data and Specifications Information
Vessel Type: Sightseeing & Events Vessel
Hull Type: Monohull
Coast Guard certification: Subchapter K
Owner: Circle Line Sightseeing Tours, New York, NY
Builder: Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation
Architect: DeJong and Lebet, Inc.
Vessel Name: CIRCLE LINE BRONX
Vessel length: 165 feet
Vessel beam: 34 feet
Vessel depth: 12.8 feet
Vessel draft: 8 feet
Speed (loaded): 13-14 knots
Date keel laid: Nov 21, 2014
Date launched: Oct 17, 2016
Date delivered: Nov 25, 2016
Propulsion equipment
Main engines: (2) Cummins QSK38-M1, EPA Tier 3-compliant diesel engines, each delivering 1,300 Bhp at 1,800 rpm
Engine supplier: Cummins North East, Dedham, MA
Gears: (2) ZF W3355 gearboxes
Propellers: (HS/ 60" diameter (2) 5-blade bronze
Bow thruster: 125 hp Wesmar
Engine controls: Three stations: ZF/Mathers Premium Clear Command. Centerline helm and port & starboard wing stations
Keel coolers: Fernstrum (Cu/Ni) Grid Coolers.
Other Equipment
Gensets: (2) 140 kW/each
Generator control panel (IEM Marine)
Steering system: Kobelt steering system consisting of two Vickers/Rexroth gearbox PTO driven hydraulic pumps, with a full follow-up power-assist control unit.
Electronics
Supplier: MacDougals Cape Code Marine Service, Falmouth, MA
Installer: Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding
(1) Radar w/ open array (Furuno 1935)
(2) VHF radios (Standard/ GX5500)
(1) GPS & Plotter (Furuno GP33 )
(1) AIS (Furuno /FA-150)
(1) Depth sounder (Furuno /DT800PSF)
(1) Compass: Richie 5” Globe Master B-200P
Video system: 12-camera color video CCTV surveillance system and 21” color monitor in pilothouse
Sound system: public address system directly interfaced w/ music system includes 48 Bose interior speakers, 22 Bose exterior speakers, QSC 800-watt amplifier, Furman power conditioner, Denon 5-disc CD player
Other
Galley: Fully-equipped concession in main cabin (hot dog & soup warmers, hot & cold drinks and ice cream freezer). Two cocktail bars in second-deck cabin and on the open third deck.
Sewage system: One wheelchair accessible head on the main deck, primary male & female heads below deck, one unisex head on the third deck.
Other systems of importance: Six 10 ton water cooled chiller units, and a 210,000 btu diesel fired furnace controlled by a Johnson Control modular control unit.
Capacities
Fuel: 8,200 U.S. gal
Fresh water: 4,000 U.S. gal.
Sewage holding: 5,000 U.S. gal
Crew size: 1 Captain, plus 30 crew
Passenger capacities: 600