News: Austal USA to Deliver for Cloud Nine

Austal USA is set to deliver a new dinner cruise boat to Cloud Nine of New York. The company specializes in high end corporate and wedding dinner cruises in the New York harbor. Among special features on the 135-ft. (41.1-m) boat are a bridal suite, a fully equipped galley with dumb waiter and an overhead atrium on the upper deck. The aluminum vessel's beam is 30 ft. (9.15 m) with a molded depth of 11.4 ft. (3.5 m). It has tankage for 22,712 liters of fuel and 11,356 liters of water. Up to 149 passengers will be served by a nine-person dining crew with the support of a three-person marine crew. Two Cummins C-series powered 150 kW generators will provide for the boat's extensive electrical requirements. Two Cummins KTA 38MO main engines, each rated for 800 hp at 1,800 rpm will provide the propulsive power into Twin Disc MG5202 marine gears with 2.48:1 reductions. These will turn a pair of Veem fixed pitch propellers to drive the boat at 16 knots. Coast Guard Establishes

Inland Rivers Vessel Movement Center

The Coast Guard established the Inland Rivers Vessel Movement Center (IRVMC) in St. Louis, April 16, 2003, to gather information and track certain barges along the river system 24-hours a day. In a continuous effort to secure the homeland, the Coast Guard increased its presence and maritime, the Western River system tracks the movement of barges containing certain dangerous cargoes from the new operational center. Additionally, increased patrols, vessel escorts and/or boarding by river marshals could be implemented based on the Department of Homeland Security Advisory System level and other factors. These increased security measures ensure the safe transit of vessels carrying certain cargoes