Christenings & Deliveries

Trico Takes Delivery on New PSV

Trico Marine Services, Inc., has taken delivery on the Northern Canyon, a 279-ft. UT 745 design platform supply vessel (PSV). The state-of-the-art vessel is designed to serve deepwater markets worldwide. Built in Norway, the Northern Canyon is equipped with a DP2 (dynamic positioning) system and is among the largest, most technologically advanced PSVs available in the industry. The vessel, which will be deployed initially in the North Sea, is quipped as a remotely operated vehicle vessel to perform subsea construction work globally. It has been awarded a three-year contract by Canyon-Offshore, Inc. Trico is scheduled to take delivery of a second 279-ft. PSV in September 2002. It also expects to take delivery of three new generation 155-ft. crewboats designed to transport personnel and oilfield products and supplies to offshore drilling and production platforms during the fourth quarter of 2002 and the first quarter of 2003.

Halter Lays Keel for U.S. Army's Newest ELSV

HMI, a division of Friede Goldman Halter, Inc. laid the keel of the U.S. Army's Tank and Automotive Command (TACOM) new Enhanced Logistic Vessel (ELSV). The vessel will support TACOM logistical efforts on a worldwide basis. The completed vessels will be 314 ft. long, have a 60 ft. beam and an overall depth of 19 ft. The construction will take about two years to complete. Halter has previously built for the U.S. Army six Logistic Support Vessels, six large tugs and 35 LCU-2000 class landing craft utilities. Anil Raj, COO of FGH said, "Halter has designed and built all of the U.S. Army's LSVs - this being number seven. Two additional LSV's have been built previously for the Philippine Navy. We value the trust and confidence that the Army has placed in Halter's team. In the last year, the support of our loyal customers has made it possible for us to start work on new contracts, which including options, are valued at over $270 million in the past year. In the same period, we have delivered contracts valued at approximately $250 million."

M/V Tanner Christened in Texas

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District recently christened a unique 48-ft. vessel for use at its moorage facility. M/V Tanner - christened in honor of Sydney H. Tanner who retired from the Galveston District, USACE, after providing exceptional service to the district and the nation for more than 33 years - was christened recently in Texas by the Tanner family. The 48-ft. utilizes the uniquely innovative Stolkraft hull form, and will be put into service surveying the coastal waterways in the Galveston District. Art Anderson Associates assessed the match of the Stolkraft hull to the Gaveston District's specific requirements for a survey launch, and provided the plans and specifications for the Tanner's design. The Stolkraft is a hull form, patented worldwide, with applications to high-speed vessels. It has been proven in service in many commercial vessels and pleasure craft around the world. Art Anderson Associates owns the U.S. patent for the Stolkraft hull form, which was originally developed in Australia by the late aeronautical engineer, Mr. Leo D. Stolk. The Stolkraft hull consists of a trimaran shape forward that transforms into a catamaran aft. As the vessel moves forward, it forces air beneath the scoops formed by the tri-hulled forebody. The air acts as a cushion that decreases frictional resistance, provides additional lift, and decreases fuel consumption. Tanner's design provides the capability to operate in higher, rougher sea conditions than is possible with the Galveston District's current survey launches. Another unique feature of the Tanner is a telescoping center-mounted multi-beam sonar that can be deployed by opening a door in the bottom of the vessel, and lowering the unit below the hull line to allow full coverage (3-D) mapping of the channels surveyed. Using this design, the vessel is able to conduct bottom surveys at speeds up to 10 knots.

Austal USA Sells Second Vessel into New York Market Summary

Austal USA has signed a contract with Cloud Nine of New York to construct a 135 ft. dinner cruise monohull for operation in the Manhattan-Queens area. This is the second sale by Austal USA to the New York market this year. Austal's Managing Director, Bob McKinnon said "We are very pleased to see that orders for Austal USA are progressing well. There is certainly a very active market for this type of vessel and our US yard is well placed to deliver them." Cloud Nine specialize in offering private, luxury dinner cruises for social and corporate groups and have developed a large base of repeat customers. The New York based company currently operate a 95 ft. dinner cruise monohull and this new larger Austal USA vessel, due for delivery to New York during April 2003, will enable Cloud Nine to cater for larger groups. The new vessel will operate at a service speed of 16 knots offering their trademark "New York Skyline Tours" departing from Queens (near the Shea Stadium) or Manhattan (at East 23rd St). The cruises typically operate for a period of four hours and incorporate the East River and part of the Hudson River. One of the main highlights is a close run by the Statue of Liberty. New itineraries are also planned with this new vessel. The vessel will be designed and built to 46 CFR Subchapter T regulations and features 2 x Cummins KTA 38M0 diesel engines rated at 800bhp each and a 100 hp tunnel thruster forward.