WorkBoat 2019 Significant Boats Edition

2019 SIGNIFICANT BOATS

IN BUSINESS ON THE COASTAL AND INLAND WATERS

JANUARY 2020

Proudly Leading The Commercial Hybrid Charge.

Captain Ben Moore

2019 WorkBoat Significant Boat Nominee

Fuel savings. Reduced emissions. Quiet operation.

In 2019, Derecktor Shipyards launched Captain Ben Moore, a 63-foot hybrid catamaran for Harbor Harvest. Since then, this first-of-its-kind cargo vessel has set a new course in sustainable shipping and revolutionized how produce is transported from Connecticut to Long Island.

NEW YORK

DANIA BEACH

FT. PIERCE

MAINE

914-698-5020 | www.derecktor.com

SINCE 1947.

W

orkBoat’s 10 Significant Boats of 2019 once again showed off the true diversity of our industry, both by vessel type and geography.

This year, the list of 10 boats recognized at our annual awards breakfast during the 40th International WorkBoat Show in December was again led by passenger vessels, with three receiving awards. In addition, two tugs, a firerescue boat, coastal research vessel, pilot boat, container roll-on/ro-off vessel and an agricultural freighter were chosen for awards by WorkBoat’s editors.

David Krapf, Editor in Chief Four of the vessels were built at Gulf of Mexico shipyards, four were built at West Coast yards, and one each at Great Lakes and East Coast shipyards. All 10 Significant Boats were not only worthy of being recognized, but an argument could be made for why each could be chosen as WorkBoat’s Boat of the Year.

For the second consecutive year, the Boat of the Year was picked by the readers of WorkBoat magazine and WorkBoat.com. For 2019, the voters chose the Taíno and El Coquí (see page 2), Crowley Maritime̓s new 720'×105' ConRo ships built at VT Halter Marine in Pascagoula, Miss.

Crowley said the vessels are the world’s first ConRo ships powered by LNG. The two 26,500-dwt Commitment-class vessels were built to provide fast, reliable and environmentally friendly shipping and logistics services between Jacksonville, Fla, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, a route the company has served since 1954. The ships were designed specifically for the Puerto Rico trade by Wärtsilä Ship Design. Each ship is powered by a single MAN 8S70ME-GI marine engine, producing 28,769 hp at 91 rpm. Both the Taíno and El Coquí have dual-fuel engines that use liquefied natural gas.

To be considered for 2019’s Significant Boats, the vessels had to appear in WorkBoat from December 2018 through November 2019 and be finished and delivered. To be considered for 2020, boats must appear in the December 2019 through November 2020 issues, so please send us your newbuild information.

Congratulations to the builders, designers and owners of these fine vessels.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 4 6 10 12 16 18 22 24 26

Taíno and El Coquí Andrew S Bob and Betty Beyster Brazos Pilot Capt. Ben Moore Dolphin XI Island Regent Kayak Express Pyxis, Lyra, Vela SFFD M-38

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WorkBoat’s Top 10 Boats of 2019

EDITOR IN CHIEF David Krapf • dkrapf@divcom.com SENIOR EDITOR Ken Hocke • khocke@divcom.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Kirk Moore • kmoore@divcom.com ART DIRECTOR Doug Stewart • dstewart@divcom.com PUBLISHING OFFICES Main Office: 121 Free Street, P.O. Box 7438 Portland, ME 04112-7438 (207) 842-5608 • Fax: (207) 842-5609 Southern/Editorial Office: P.O. Box 1348, Mandeville, LA 70470 Fax: (985) 624-4801 Subscription Information: (978) 671-0444 • cs@e-circ.net General Information: (207) 842-5610 ADVERTISING PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING PROJECT MANAGER Wendy Jalbert • wjalbert@divcom.com 121 Free Street, P.O. Box 7438 Portland, ME 04112-7438 (207) 842-5616 • Fax: (207) 842-5611 NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Kristin Luke • kluke@divcom.com (207) 842-5635 • Fax: (207) 842-5611

dkrapf@divcom.com

SALES REPRESENTATIVE Mike Cohen • mcohen@divcom.com (207) 842-5439 • Fax: (207) 842-5611 GROUP VICE PRESIDENT Bob Callahan • bcallahan@divcom.com

WORKBOAT® (ISSN 0043-8014) is published monthly by Diversified Business Communications and Diversified Publications, 121 Free St., P.O. Box 7438, Portland, ME 04112-7438. Editorial Office: P.O. Box 1348, Mandeville, LA 70470.

Annual Subscription Rates: U.S. $39; Canada $55; International $103. When available, extra copies of current issue are $4, all other issues and special issues are $5. For subscription customer service call (978) 671-0444. The publisher reserves the right to sell subscriptions to those who have purchasing power in the industry this publication serves. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, ME, and additional mailing offices. Circulation Office: 121 Free St., P.O. Box 7438, Portland, ME 04112-7438. From time to time, we make your name and address available to other companies whose products and services may interest you. If you prefer not to receive such mailings, please send a copy of your mailing label to: WorkBoat’s Mailing Preference Service, P.O. Box 7438, Portland, ME 04112. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to WORKBOAT, P.O. Box 1792, Lowell, MA 01853. Copyright 20 18

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www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WORKBOAT SIGNIFICANT BOATS

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WORKBOAT AWARDS / SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

2019 SIGNIFICANT BOATS Taíno and El Coquí named WorkBoat’s Boat of the Year.

At the 40th International WorkBoat Show held in New Orleans in December, the editors of WorkBoat magazine presented awards to the builders, designers and owners of 2019’s 10 Significant Boats. Also, for the sixth consecutive year, a boat of the year was selected from among the 10 winners. The 2019 Boat of the Year was the Taíno and El Coquí, container/roll on-roll off (ConRo) ships owned by Crowley Maritime and built by VT Halter Marine.

By Ken Hocke, Senior Editor

C

ontainer/roll on-roll off (ConRo) ships Taíno and El Coquí were selected Boat of the Year for 2019 at the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans in December. What’s significant about the two vessels built at VT Halter Marine, Pascagoula, Miss., for Crowley Maritime Corp., includes the ships themselves, improved docking facilities, and liquefied natural gas terminal infrastructure Crowley had to build both in Jacksonville, Fla., and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Crowley invested $550 million in the ships and associated port upgrades.

Crowley said the vessels are the world's first ConRo ships powered by LNG. The two 720'×105'×59', 26,500-dwt Commitment-class vessels were built to provide fast, reliable and environmentally friendly shipping and logistics services between Jacksonville and San Juan, a route the company has served since 1954. The ships were designed specifically for the Puerto Rico trade by Wärtsilä Ship Design and managed in the shipyard by Crowley’s solutions group, which includes naval architects and engineers from its subsidiary Jensen Maritime, Seattle.

The ships carry up to 2,400 20' equivalent units (TEUs) at a cruising speed of 22 knots. A range of other container sizes and types can be accommodated, including 53'×8.5' boxes and up to 300 refrigerated containers.

Enclosed and ventilated roll-on/roll-off decks have room for around 400 cars and larger vehicles.

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Each ship is powered by a single MAN 8S70ME-GI marine engine, producing 28,769 hp at 91 rpm. The single engine connects to a 328"×291", 5-bladed prop to produce a running speed of 22 knots.

Both Taíno and El Coquí have dual-fuel engines that use liquefied natural gas.

Fueling the ships with LNG reduces emissions significantly, including a 100% reduction in sulphur oxide (SOx) and particulate matter (PM); a 92% cut in nitrogen oxide (NOx); and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will be cut by more than 35% per container, compared with current fossil fuels, Crowley said.

Crowley wanted to “meet or exceed current and future emissions and environmental requirements. This review was done in parallel with the development of commercial requirements for the variance types of cargoes we intended to carry,” said Cole Cosgrove, vice president, Crowley global ship management.

“The ship’s reduced transit time complements major investments in technology and other infrastructure upgrades to our terminals that make it easier and quicker for our trucking partners to access our terminals for cargo moves,” Frank Larkin, Crowley’s senior vice president and general manager, logistics and commercial services, said in a statement.

The initial design concept was not the least expensive www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

Crowley Maritime

Taíno and El Coquí

El Coquí at the Isla Grande Terminal in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The 2019 Boat of the Year, the Taíno and El Coquí, was announced at the International WorkBoat Show. Pictured, left to right, Johan Sperling, Crowley Maritime; Robert Mullins, VT Halter Marine; David Krapf, WorkBoat magazine; Ray Martus, Crowley Maritime; and Quentin Stewart, Wärtsilä North America.

but what met current and known future emissions requirements while providing the most environmentally friendly operation, Cosgrove said. “Dual fuel engines were new to say the least. There were really only two manufacturers capable of providing dual fuel engines with the necessary horsepower we needed for the service speed we required,” he

said. “We studied the proposals from both very carefully, looking at each element of the total cost of ownership.

Crowley management looked at the complexity of installing the engines, purchase price, warranty, reputation of the supplier, vendor evaluations for prior business, design concept, maintenance and repair parts and service support, emissions control

www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

strategies, fuel consumption and more. “This process took several weeks during the design stage. That effort paid off, and ultimately we have delivered one of the most technically advanced vessels in the world with cutting edge automation and LNG control systems,” said Cosgrove. “A pure diesel solution may have been less upfront cost in terms of design and initial build, but long-term costs SEE Taíno and El Coquí, page 28

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WORKBOAT AWARDS / SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

Andrew S

Main Iron Works

Bisso Towboat’s new Sub M and Tier 4 compliant tug.

By Kathy Bergren Smith, Correspondent

B

isso Towboat Co., New Orleans, took delivery of the 100'×38'×17'2" tug Andrew S in October. Bisso concentrates on assisting oceangoing vessels on the Mississippi River and Inner Harbor Navigational Canal.

The company’s current president, Scott Slatten, is the fifth generation to run the company.

Bisso built the 98'×34' tug Liz Alma in 1991 at Main Iron Works, Houma, La. The Liz was the first new tug the company designed specifically for ocean ship assist (The Liz Alma was sold to Robbins Maritime in 2017). Then in 1999, Bisso began construction on the first of seven tractor tugs at Main Iron that has become the backbone of the company. The 98’ design is very stable and sized perfectly for docking and undocking ships on the Mississippi River, in some tight spots.

In fact, Bisso liked the design so much the company continued to build tractor tugs with similar hulls with a few changes for crew comfort and compliance. All of Bisso Towboat’s newbuilds have been built at Main Iron.

When it came time to build the eighth tractor tug, however, it was not as simple as picking up the phone and placing the order. This was due to increased bollard pull requirements and changes in regulations concerning EPA emissions and Subchapter M. 4

Bisso’s senior captain and vice president of training, Jonathan Davis, worked closely with Main Iron’s Benny Cenac and naval architect Ashraf Degedy, and Caterpillar’s Charlson Smith on the Andrew S. It would become a challenge and a journey that Bisso and Main Iron embarked upon together. The challenge was to find the solution to comply with EPA’s Tier 4 strict emissions regulations, the Coast Guard’s Subchapter M requirements, and an increase in the bollard pull from 60 to 75 tons. Then the trick was to fit everything within a 100' hull. The result was the Andrew S, which Main Iron delivered to Bisso in late November. The 6,008-hp tug is the first Tier 4 ASD tractor tug built for use on the Mississippi River. It’s also the fourth new ASD tractor tug built by Main Iron Works for Bisso Towboat in the past five years.

“It will be very similar structurally and from a profile to our last newbuild, Liz Healy, as the vast majority of the changes will be in the engine room for the SCR system and larger Z-drives and a larger bow winch and bow staple to accommodate the increased horsepower/bollard pull,” Slatten said in discussing the new tug. “Beyond that, we were able to pretty much use our existing design with some minor changes in tankage and hull and the above.” www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

SPECIFICATIONS

Builder: Main Iron Works Designer: Ashraf Degedy, Bisso Towboat Co., Main Iron Works Owner: Bisso Towboat Mission: Shipdocking Length: 100' Beam: 38' Depth: 17'2" Draft: 13'3-7/16" Main Propulsion: (2) Caterpillar 3516E, 3,004 hp at 1,800 rpm Speed (knots): 15 Ship's Service Power: (2) John Deere, 4045 AFM85, 100 kW Marine Gear: (2) Kongsberg US255, 7.5157:1 Propeller: (2) Kongsberg 2,500 mm Bollard Pull: 84 tons Ancillary Equipment: Jonrie 240 escort winch with Bosch Rexroth Hägglunds drive level with 500' of Saturn 12 TM 3"D (orange) rope, 749,000 lbs. minimum breaking

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ANDREW ROSEMARY S SPECIFICATIONS MCALLISTER

Deadweight Tonnage: 230 tons Steering System: Kongsberg Crew: 7 Capacities (gals.): Fuel, 30,162; lube oil, 1,825; hydraulic oil, 1,825; urea, 3,000; potable water, 11,000 Classification/Certification: USCG certified, Subchapter M Delivery Date: October 2019

With the construction of the Subchapter M certified, 6,008-hp Tier 4-compliant ASD tractor tug Andrew S. “There were three issues to deal with — more bollard pull, EPA’s required Tier 4 technology and compliance with the Sub M regulations,” said Davis. “They had to be addressed together.

The propulsion solution that we chose would mean different modifications to the vessel to meet Subchapter M.” Main propulsion for the shipdocking tug comes from twin Caterpillar 3516E, Tier 4 diesels, producing 3,004 hp at 1,800 rpm each. The Cats drive Kongsberg US255 P30FP Z-drives through Kongsberg gears with 7.5157:1 reduction ratios. The propulsion package gives the Andrew S a running speed of 15 knots and a bollard pull of 84 tons. Kongsberg also supplied the 2,500-mm props and steering system.

Five Bisso tractor tugs already have Cat 3516s in them.

The SCR system in the new 3500 Series was developed by Caterpillar. The system utilizes diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), a urea-based fluid that is mixed with the engine’s exhaust, causing a chemical reaction that significantly reduces NOx in the exhaust.

Ancillary equipment includes a JonRie 240 escort winch with a Bosch Rexroth Hägglunds drive level with 500' of Saturn 12 TM 3"D (orange) rope.

Ship’s service power is supplied by a pair of John Deere 4045 AFM85, 100-kW gensets. The tug has a maximum draft of 13'3-7/16".

Capacities include 30,162 gals. of diesel fuel; 1,825 gals. lube oil; 1,825 gals. hydraulic oil; 3,000 gals urea; and 11,000 gals. potable water.

www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

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WORKBOAT AWARDS / SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

Bob and Betty Beyster

Armstrong Marine

New coastal research vessel provides ocean-based education.

By Kirk Moore, Contributing Editor

A

new, fast coastal research vessel joined the fleet of ships managed by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego in 2019.

The Bob and Betty Beyster was built thanks to an initiative that raised over $1.2 million in honor of the late Dr. J. Robert Beyster, founder of Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), and his widow Betty.

The 42'×16'×5' aluminum planing catamaran research vessel is now enabling scientists at Scripps and others in the teaching community to conduct local research, technology development and ocean-based education.

Scientists and students at Scripps have long benefited from a fleet of research vessels to conduct oceanographic research at sea. There has been a need, however, for a vessel with a nearshore range, low daily cost, and adaptability to support advanced research with local and global impact.

The new workboat, designed and built at Armstrong Marine USA, Port Angeles, Wash., has a draft of 2', a range of 800 kilometers (500 nautical miles), a cruising speed of over 25 knots and a top speed of 37 knots. There’s capacity for six scientists and a two-person boat crew. The vessel, which will be owned by Scripps, sports an A-frame 6

for lifting up to 4,000 lbs., an adaptable deck foundation for configuring and securing technology, and a computercontrolled engine system to automatically maintain position and heading, which will be useful for the range of research and technology development anticipated onboard.

“The Beyster family has a long tradition of investing in students and providing opportunities for hands-on access to science,” Margaret Leinen, vice chancellor of marine sciences at UC San Diego and director of Scripps Oceanography, said. “UC San Diego is incredibly thankful for this commitment, and we extend our gratitude to this group of donors that joined together to support this new vessel in honor of Bob and Betty.”

The boat has a rear cargo deck measuring 19'3"×13'1" with recessed all thread tie down points. Capacities will include 600 gals. of fuel and 55 gals. water.

Main propulsion for the research vessel comes from twin Volvo Penta D11 engines, producing 510 hp at 2,250 rpm each. The mains connect to forward facing duo props through Volvo IPS transmissions with 1.70:1 reduction ratios. Volvo also handled the manufacturing of the controls and steering system of the Bob and Betty Beyster. Ship’s service power is the responsibility of a 9-kW Northern www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

Armstrong Marine

Lights 3-phase generator.

The scientific equipment includes a seafloor mapping system contributed by geosciences professor Neal Driscoll; a Morgan 200 hydraulic knuckle boom crane acquired by oceanographers Eric Terrill and Luc Lenain that will enable the vessel to deploy and recover autonomous vehicles; a mini remotely operated vehicle contributed by the directors of the Scripps Center for Marine Archaeology; and a hullmounted transducer for underwater communications, supported by marine mammal acoustics researchers John Hildebrand and Simone BaumannPickering. The boat is also fitted with a Kinematics hydraulic winch and the Pullmaster PL5 A-frame mounted hydraulic winch.

“Scripps operates a world-class fleet of oceangoing research vessels.

heavy coastal scientific applications,” said Scripps associate director Bruce Appelgate, who oversees ship operations. “This vessel enables tremendous opportunities, whether conducting experiments in the La Jolla Canyon just offshore, or expeditions throughout the Channel Islands.”

This fleet is now made even more capable with the addition of Bob and Betty Beyster, which fills an important niche for research and teaching opportunities close to shore on a fast, nimble platform equipped with instruments and over-the-side handling equipment appropriate for

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www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

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WORKBOAT AWARDS / SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

SPECIFICATIONS

Builder: Armstrong Marine USA Designer: Armstrong Marine USA Owner: Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego Mission: Close to shore research and teaching platform Length: 42' Beam: 16' Depth: 5' Draft: 2' Main Propulsion: (2) Volvo Penta D11, 510 hp at 2,250 rpm Speed (knots): 25 (cruising), 37 (top) Ship’s Service Power: Northern Lights 3-phase generator Propeller: (2) Volvo Penta forward facing duo Controls: Volvo Penta Steering System: Volvo Penta Crew: 2; 6 scientists Capacities (gals.): Fuel, 600; water, 55

Armstrong Marine

BOB AND BETTY BEYSTER

Ancillary Equipment: 19'3"x13'1" rear cargo deck, A-frame with 4,000-lb. capacity, Morgan 200 hydraulic knuckle boom crane, remotely operated vehicle, hull mounted transducer, Kinematics hydraulic winch, Pullmaster PL5 A-Frame mounted hydraulic winch Delivery Date: February 2019

The Chris Reeves is the second of four Z-drive towboats.

By Kathy Bergren Smith, Correspondent

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www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

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Congratulations, R/V BOB AND BETTY BEYSTER 2019 Top 10 Significant Boat

WORKBOAT AWARDS / SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

Brazos Pilot

Metal Shark

Metal Shark delivers monohull pilot boat to Texas pilots.

By Ken Hocke, Senior Editor

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ouisiana-based shipbuilder Metal Shark has delivered a $2.5 million aluminum pilot boat to the Brazos Pilots Association in Freeport, Texas.

The new vessel, Brazos Pilot, is a 64' ×19' Defiant-class monohull pilot boat designed by Metal Shark and built at the company’s Franklin, La., shipyard. The vessel was christened on Jan. 31 and immediately went into service.

The Brazos Pilot replaces the pilots’ smaller, pilot boat, the Freeport Pilot, a 36-year-old 45', single screw, monohull vessel with less than 400-hp.

The new vessel improves safety for crews while enhancing service to operators and providing around-theclock service at Port Freeport.

Brazos Pilot Association President Capt. Billy Burns said a good pilot boat is essential to saving lives.

“Our port and the maritime industry have changed, grown and evolved over the last four decades in ways we could not have imagined then,” said Burns. “So has the mission requirements of our pilot boats. The Freeport Pilot was never designed to do what we require out of a pilot boat today. It has served our port well over the last 36 years and we will all miss her. She has earned a good retirement.”

A large, climate-controlled wheelhouse employs the

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boatbuilder’s signature pillarless glass for improved visibility, in a reverse-raked arrangement developed by Metal Shark specifically for pilots. Large overhead skylights provide upward visibility while approaching and operating alongside moving ships. Visibility is further augmented by the vessel’s centerline helm position.

“The 64 Defiant pilot employs a very stout, extensively proven deep vee hull for stable operation in heavy seas,” Carl Wegener, Metal Shark’s vice president of commercial sales, said in a statement. “The entire vessel has been thoroughly optimized for pilots, with an emphasis on comfort, convenience, efficiency, and safety.”

The Brazos Pilot is 20' longer, six feet wider, almost three times heavier, and has triple the horsepower than its predecessor. To compare the two boats is like comparing a 1920 Ford Model T with a 2019 Ford F-250, Burns said.

“The (20 feet) in additional length gives us better seakeeping ability, the additional six feet in width gives us better stability, the additional weight handles the seas better and the increased horsepower gives us greater safety when boarding the largest most powerful ships on the ocean,” he said.

Burns said the new pilot boat was not designed for www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

SPECIFICATIONS

Builder: Metal Shark Designer: Metal Shark Owner: Brazos Pilots Association Mission: Carry pilots to and from ships Length: 64' Beam: 19' Main Propulsion: (2) Caterpillar C-18 Speed (knots): 18 (cruise), 28 (top) Marine Gear: (2) Twin Disc MXG-5146SC Propeller: (2) 5-bladed, 36"x43"nibral Ancillary Equipment: Pilot transfer platform with safety rails, nonskid stairway, low-level LED pathway lighting, non-skid decks, shock mitigating seats, secondary control station on aft deck Electronics Suite: Furuno MU195T multifunction displays, KVH TracVision TV3 satellite television system Crew: 2 (seating for 7) Delivery Date: January 2019

speed. “Although nice to have, our real design criterion was the ability of the boat to break powerful suctions that large ships generate near their stern,” he said. “These suctions are very dangerous to pilot boats and many pilot boats have been sunk because they lacked the power to break away from the ship.”

He added that the boat’s larger and wider design was designed with a specific purpose. For example, the gunnels are raised, the bow flare is deeper and the freeboard is taller, allowing the boat to operate in heavier seas than their current vessels.

The climate-controlled wheelhouse is also purposely larger, with a 360° visibility and unobstructed views in every direction. It employs the boatbuilder’s signature pillarless glas for improved visibility, in a reverseraked arrangement developed by Metal Shark specifically for pilots.

“Parts of the ceiling is glass so the boat operator can see pilots on the ship as they descend down the pilot ladder. The forward windows are slanted out to reduce glare and heating coils inside the glass prevent any condensation from obstructing the boat

operator’s view,” Burns said.

Giving the pilot complete visibility and putting him or her in a command position on the boat makes transferring personnel safer, he said.

Burns said the boarding platform is also three feet higher than their current one, allowing transferring pilots fewer chances to be hit by seas and spray when transferring to ships.

“Our in-house engineering team works directly with clients to assure that custom features are incorporated at the design stage and not as an afterthought,” said Wegener. “An example of this is the careful consideration given to the design and integration of the pilot transfer platform to minimize any obstruction to visibility.”

The boat has shock-mitigating seating for seven people (twice as many as the old boat) and comes with cup holders and USB charging stations. The seats are designed to hold passengers securely in bad weather “so you don’t fly out of your chair every time you hit a large wave,” Burns said.

An integrated suite of navigation electronics includes GPS, radar, depth sounder, and AIS, which are accessed

www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

Metal Shark photos

BRAZOS PILOT

primarily through three 19" Furuno MU195T multifunction displays. These large touch-screen panels also display real-time video from a FLIR (forwardlooking infrared) M400 thermal imaging system, as well as live onboard video feeds via two closed circuit TV cameras installed in the engine room.

Belowdecks crew quarters are accessed via a stairway in the wheelhouse and a watertight access hatch in the foredeck. Accommodations include a galley area with microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator, and sink; an enclosed head compartment; doubletiered set of lockers for crew storage; and a berthing area with double bunk, drawer storage, and a 4K LED TV with Blu Ray player and KVH TracVision TV3 satellite television system.

Main propulsion comes from twin 803-hp Caterpillar C-18 diesel engines coupled to Twin Disc MGX-5146SC transmissions that turn 5-bladed 36"×43" nibral propellers.

The Brazos Pilot has a top speed in excess of 28 knots, with a nominal cruise speed of 18 knots. To facilitate operation in close quarters, the vessel has been outfitted with a secondary control station on the aft deck.

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WORKBOAT AWARDS / SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

Captain Ben Moore

Harbor Harvest

Harbor Harvest’s new hybrid agricultural freighter.

By Kirk Moore, Contributing Editor

A

first of its kind hybrid freighter that will deliver fresh produce and locally made foods between Connecticut and Long Island was launched at Derecktor Shipyards, Mamaroneck, N.Y. The Captain Ben Moore is a 63'×21.3' aluminum catamaran, similar to two earlier Incat Crowtherdesigned vessels Derecktor built for marine educators and researchers in the region.

The latest boat was built for Harbor Harvest, a Norwalk, Conn., based company that marine engineer and designer Robert Kunkel created to connect family farms to urban and suburban markets.

Delivered in June 2019, the Captain Ben Moore is powered by a pair of Cummins QSB 6.7 diesels, generating 104 kW each at 2,400 rpm, and lithium batteries connected to a pair of BAE Systems HybriDrive electric motors.

With a top speed of 15 knots, the $2.8 million vessel has 300 sq. ft. of open cargo area, 100 sq. ft. of covered space, and 140 sq. ft. of walk-in refrigeration. Total capacity 12

is 12,000 lbs., or the equivalent of three to five produce delivery trucks, according to Kunkel.

Kunkel began working with Derecktor in 2016 to develop the design.

Speaking at the State University of New York Maritime College in September 2018, Kunkel explained how the concept of Harbor Harvest aims to reduce pollution and highway congestion, while linking sustainable local farms to consumers.

“There’s $9 billion worth of produce between the midHudson Valley and Connecticut,” Kunkel said, but many farm families “can’t make more than $50,000 a year.”

While working to set up his company’s Norwalk storefront location, Kunkel said he learned from truckers that worsening traffic in the New York metro region has extended daily round trips from upstate farms to the city or Long Island to nine to 12 hours.

The Captain Ben Moore is able to make the 15-mile transit from Norwalk to Huntington, N.Y., on Long Island’s North Shore in an hour under quiet electric drive. www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

Builder: Derecktor Shipyards Designer: Incat Crowther Owner: Harbor Harvest Mission: Connect family farms to urban and suburban markets between Norwalk, Conn., and the north shore of Long Island, N.Y. Length: 63' Beam: 21.3' Main Propulsion: (2) Cummins QSB6.7, 1,373 hp at 2,400 rpm Speed (knots): 15 Ship’s Service Power: BAE Systems HybriDrive connected to lithium batteries Passengers: 49 Capacities (gals.): Fuel, 158.5; water, 264; open cargo area, 300 sq. ft.; closed cargo space, 100 sq. ft.

Delivery Date: June 2019

The Captain Ben Moore project included two charging stations on the company’s piers.

Fuel is carried in two 600-liter (158.5 gal.) tanks in each hull, with 1,000 liters (264 gals.) tanks for fresh water and wastewater.

“We’re very proud of these boats”, Derecktor president Paul Derecktor said at the launching. “For over 70 years we have been part of the maritime community and playing a part in protecting the Long Island Sound and New York Harbor

Derecktor Shipyards

CAPTAIN BEN MOORE SPECIFICATIONS

Harbor Harvest’s vessel is based on an Incat Crowther design with the addition of cargo space and walk-in refrigeration.

environments is very satisfying. It’s also been a pleasure working with Harbor Harvest, a company that is pioneering the rebirth of clean marine transportation.”

Long before the rise of interstate highways, “two or three hundred years ago, all the farms were built on rivers or harbors, because that’s where the transportation was to get to market,” said Kunkel. “I’ve been trying to put in coastal shipping under U.S.-flag for 10 years.”

Restoring that connection makes

Captain Ben Moore | 19m Catamaran Freight Vessel Builder: Derecktor Operator: Harbor Harvest

Incat Crowther E V E R E VO LV I N G

OPERATIONAL STUDIES

ROBUST, EFFICIENT AND VERSATILE VESSELS

EVER IMPROVING

FUNCTIONAL DESIGN

sense in the increasingly congested New York metro region, he said.

Kunkel, a 27-year resident of East Norwalk, Conn., is president of Alternative Marine Technologies, a ship design and construction supervision firm. Kunkel’s work there includes liquid natural gas (LNG) propulsion and systems, and that interest in new energy technologies is part of what led to the design of the Captain Ben Moore.

Kunkel’s Harbor Harvest is a brickand-mortar high-end food market in

www.incatcrowther.com

PRODUCTION DESIGN

www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

PROCUREMENT

CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT

THROUGH-LIFE SUPPORT

CONSULTING

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East Norwalk that sources quality, local sustainable food for customers.

Kunkel said a goal is to provide more support to local farms and small community businesses.

“Shipping products by hybrid is more sustainable than transporting cargo on our highways because it eliminates emissions from diesel trucks, reduces the carbon footprint and creates better opportunities for artisans and farmers local in Connecticut, Long Island and New York,” Kunkel said.

“We believe that local food is the future, and that local transportation has to support it. Harbor Harvest is a butcher shop, retail store, farmers market, small café, and is based on local support of the community, and this concept is to inspire other small businesses in East Norwalk to achieve the same goals.”

Harbor Harvest

WORKBOAT AWARDS / SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

In May 2018 Harbor Harvest received approval from the Maritime Administration as a designated Marine Highway Program, and the company could build a second catamaran with help of a Marad grant.

That could expand the freight

service deeper into urban New York City, with the potential to connect with the city food wholesale market at Hunts Point, terminals at Red Hook in Brooklyn, and growing ferry and waterfront uses at Glen Cove on Long Island’s north shore.

Why Because it’s the hub of the commercial maritime industry.

Read in-depth news, features and market info in WorkBoat Magazine Access the most comprehensive online resource for commercial maritime professionals at WorkBoat.com Connect, learn and power your business forward at the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans

More than Far m to Table A Boatload More!

Photo: Hybrid Captain Ben Moore

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Electric and Hybrid Propulsion Clean, Quiet, Proven BAE Systems’ HybriGen® electric power and propulsion system saves fuel, reduces emissions, and increases engine life with its patented technology. The HybriGen system not only provides electric propulsion but also powers the hotel loads by efficiently utilizing lithium-ion energy storage or the variable speed genset.

Ask us how we can help your vessel be more efficient with BAE Systems’ electric and hybrid marine solutions.

Captain Ben Moore Electric Hybrid Cargo Vessel Named a 2019 Significant Boat

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WORKBOAT AWARDS / SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

Dolphin XI

Gulf Craft

Fifth boat built by Gulf Craft for Dolphin Fleet.

By Michael Crowley, Correspondent

W

hale watching on the East Coast started in Provincetown, Mass., in 1975 with Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch. The newest boat for Dolphin Fleet, which currently has four whale watching boats, is the Dolphin XI, delivered this past May from Gulf Craft, in Franklin, La. Incat Crowther did the engineering.

The Dolphin XI is the fifth boat built by Gulf Craft for Dolphin Fleet.

Over the years, the boats coming out of the Louisiana boatyard have grown in size.

“This is the biggest,” said Steven Milliken, Dolphin Fleet’s owner, speaking of the 114'×25'×9' Dolphin XI, which has space for 360 passengers. It’s also the optimal size. “We try to stay around 100 feet in length.” There are a couple of reasons for that: “Passengers come to know what to expect when they get on and they are comfortable.” Anything bigger, say 150' and “it’s tough to maneuver around whales.”

The Dolphin XI is the first of the Dolphin Fleet having a third deck for passengers, with bench seats for 44, though the Coast Guard allows a total of 170 passengers on that upper deck. There’s bench seating for 186 on the second deck, while the main level has bench seating for 118 in the cabin

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and 88 outside.

All of those seats won’t be occupied when the Dolphin XI or any of the Dolphin Fleet’s other three boats leave Provincetown on whale watching trips. “We don’t load the boat to full capacity,” said Milliken, adding that the vessel usually loads to about 300.

In a season that generally runs from April through October, whale watch trips are usually three to four hours long. Some of them are “right off the beach,” said Milliken, and other trips further out. If the whale’s position isn’t immediately apparent, “we have the power and the speed to go further if we need to (to find whales).”

That power for chasing after whales comes out of three 1,450-hp Tier 4 Caterpillar C32 main engines. The Cats are matched up with Twin Disc MGX-6650 SC gears spinning 43"×47" 5-bladed Michigan wheels, which gives the Dolphin XI a top speed just under 30 knots and 22.5 knots cruising. The Cat C32 Tier-4 engines fit in with the Dolphin Fleet’s environmental concerns. “We try to be as environmentally friendly as possible,” said Milliken. (That extends to using paper plates and cornstarch silverware at the snack bar where breakfast and lunch are served.)

Not only are the Tier 4 Caterpillar engines a break from www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

the past, but so are the Humphree interceptor trim tabs. “None of the other boats have them,” said Milliken, who is enthusiastic in his praise for the trim tabs. “It’s amazing what it does.

It’s mind blowing. They are better for speed, but if you are going into a sea or are broadside, it improves the ride 100 percent.”

Speed is important when trying to locate whales because it enables a much larger part of the ocean to be covered, though actually locating the whales is usually done with the human eye, albeit through the lenses of a pair of binoculars.

Though in foggy, calm weather, use is made of a Furuno 12-kw highdefinition radar that “will show whales when they pop up. It helps a lot,” said Milliken. The Furuno radar also shows flocks of birds, and whales are often associated with birds.

DOLPHIN XI SPECIFICATIONS Owner: Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch Builder: Gulf Craft Designer: Gulf Craft Engineering: InCat Crowther Length: 114' Beam: 25' Depth: 9' Propulsion: (3) Caterpillar C32 Tier 4, 1,450-hp Marine Gear: (3) Twin Disc MGX-6650 SC gear

Propeller: (3) Michigan 43"x47" 5-bladed wheels Ship's Service Power: Two 75-kW Caterpillar C4.4 gensets Speed: 22.5-knots cruising Crew/Passengers: 5; 360 passengers on three levels Hull Construction: Aluminum Classification: Subchapter K Delivery Date: May 2019

“Where there’s food, there’s everything else,” noted Milliken.

In the time spent going to and from the whales, a naturalist gives a presentation on whales and their habitat on the upper deck, which is carried to display screens in other parts of the boat.

The electronics package includes a large selection of Furuno products.

The Dolphin V was the first vessel Gulf Craft built for Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch in 1983. Dolphin Fleet boats have grown in those 36 years.

The Dolphin V measured 80'×24' and carried 150 passengers.

114’ x 25’ Whale Watch Vessel

98’ x 28’ Catamaran Waterjet Passenger Vessel

Workboat’s 2019 Significant Boat Nominee

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194’ x 32’ Waterjet Fast Supply Vessel

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205’ x 34’ Waterjet Fast Supply Vessel

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WORKBOAT AWARDS / SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

Island Regent

Bruce Buls

Another ATB tug for Island Tug and Barge.

By Ken Hocke, Senior Editor

B

ritish Columbia based Island Tug and Barge (ITB), a subsidiary of Tidewater Canada, christened the second of its new 82'×41'×12' custom-built, state-ofthe-art articulated tugs, the Island Regent, during a ceremony in June at its headquarters in Burnaby.

The Island Regent was designed by Robert Allan Ltd. naval architects and marine engineers, Vancouver, British Columbia and was paired with ITB’s double-hulled oil tank barge, the ITB Reliant, as an articulated tug and barge (ATB).

The first phase of the Island Regent build took place at ITB’s Annacis Island facility along the Fraser River in British Columbia, and the construction was completed at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Whidbey Island, Wash.

With a blunt bow square to the flat, vertical sides, the Island Regent (and the Island Raider) is essentially a rectangular steel box. There is neither curved sheer nor camber to the decks, which simplified construction. The bottom isn't completely flat, but close to it. The bottom has about 8" of deadrise. The house has four decks and a height18

of-eye of 40'.

Main propulsion for the new tug is provided by a pair of Cummins KTA38M 634 kW engines, producing 850 hp each at 1,800 rpm. Through carbon fiber shafts, the main engines connect to two 1,600 mm, 4-bladed in-nozzle RollsRoyce US105 FP azimuthing thrusters. The Z-drive thrusters can rotate 360°, providing maximum thrust in any direction and enhanced maneuverability. Once the tug is fitted into the notch of the barge, a connection is made through an Articouple FRC 35S pin coupler system. These hydraulic pins engage in a vertical slot on the barge to create a semirigid bond that allow the tug to pitch but not roll. The joined ATB has a fully loaded speed of 10 knots.

Two John Deere 4045 AFM85 generator-drive engines, producing 99 kW of electrical power each, provide power for the Island Regent. The tug’s navigation equipment includes a JRC automatic identification system (AIS), radar, electronic chart display, and weather station; Alphatron Marine bridge navigation watch alarm system, magnetic www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

xxxxxxxx

Island Tug and Barge

compass, and repeater swing meter; and Sailor VHF radio. A fixed Kidde FM200 fire extinguishing system is installed in the machinery spaces.

The Island Regent was designed with considerable emphasis on crew comfort and endurance. By incorporating Sika vibration and sound dampening floors, and Norac wall and ceiling paneling, noise levels register at less than 59 decibels in the wheelhouse during vessel operation — which is equivalent to an air conditioner. In addition, fully heated and air-conditioned accommodations can house up to eight persons in six cabins. The standard crew is four — master, mate and two deckhands. For optimal situational awareness, the wheelhouse incorporates floor to ceiling windows, as well as a full walk-around catwalk.

Facilities include a stainless-steel finished galley and large mess deck, exercise room, laundry room, and office.

“Today is a proud day for everyone at Island Tug and Barge and Tidewater,” Bob Curcio, Tidewater president and CEO, said during the christening. “The first ATB, the Island Raider and ITB Resolution, has performed exceptionally well in its first year of service. We are excited to have the Island Regent and ITB Reliant joining it soon. These new ATBs represent a significant milestone in ITB’s capabilities to serve our customers better than ever.”

“Our goal was to build an extraordinarily capable vessel that would meet and exceed all regulatory and industry established standards of operation, while providing efficiency and reliability to our clients,” said Adrian Samuel, ITB president. “With the help of Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, we accomplished our goal. I would like to extend my gratitude to both the skilled men and women who constructed the Island Regent, and to the ITB masters, first mates, and crew who diligently trained to safely and expertly operate these innovative vessels.”

“The Nichols Brothers’ team is pleased to continue our work for Island Tug and Barge, building tugs and modifying barges that meet high standards for maneuverability and safety,” Matt Nichols, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders executive vice president, said. “We look forward to seeing the Island Raider and the Island Regent service ITB’s clients along the west coast of Canada and Washington for decades to come.”

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WORKBOAT AWARDS / SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

Builder: Island Tug and Barge, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders Designer: Robert Allan Ltd. Owner: Island Tug and Barge Mission: Part of a gasoline and diesel fuel carrying ATB Length: 82' Beam: 41' Depth: 12' Main Propulsion: (2) Cummins KTA 38M, 850 hp at 1,800 rpm Speed (knots): 10.5 (top); 7 (ATB speed) Ship's Service Power: John Deere-powered Stamford UCM274E1, 99 kW Z-Drive: (2) Kongsberg US105FP, 4-bladed 63", Kaplan style Controls: JRC Height of Eye: 40' Coupler System: Articouple Capacities (gals.): Fuel, 26,500; water, 3,700 Ancillary Equipment: Burrard Iron Works E3W aft-mounted anchor

Island Tug and Barge

ISLAND REGENT SPECIFICATIONS

winch, Palfinger Ned-Deck SOLAS davit, Polaris self-righting rescue boat, Schuyler laminated fendering Electronics: JRC radar, electronic chart display, compass, AIS autopilot, Sailor radio Crew: 4 (normal operations); 8 (max.)

Delivery Date: May 2019

News & Updates

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WORKBOAT AWARDS / SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

Kayak Express

Moran Iron Works

First of its kind tour boat operates in the Great Lakes.

By Ken Hocke, Senior Editor

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Pictured Rocks Kayaking

M

oran Iron Works (MIW) signed a contract in 2018 with Pictured Rocks Kayaking (PRK) to build a specialized passenger tour vessel. In conjunction with Donald L. Blount & Associates (a division of Gibbs & Cox Inc.), Moran Iron built the 64'×19′ special purpose tour boat Kayak Express that is a first of its kind in the Great Lakes region. Fabrication officially began with the laying of the deck plate in December 2018.

The vessel was constructed of aluminum at Moran Iron in Onaway, Mich. The Kayak Express escorts 72 passengers and 36 kayaks around Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for guided kayak tours. The boat features a custom-designed kayak launch system that is tailored to meet the specific needs of offshore kayak launching. The owners said to their knowledge, the boat is a first of its kind.

Main propulsion comes from twin Cummins QSK19 diesel engines, rated at 800 hp each, turning a pair of Michigan Wheel 36"×37" 5-bladed propellers through Twin Disc MGX-5146A gears with 1.96:1 reduction ratios. The package produces a top speed of 25 knots,

topping the 21-22 knots that had been anticipated.

Twin Seakeeper HD gyro stabilizers are fitted for passenger comfort and safety. The hull form is a double chine, variable deadrise monohull for improved seakeeping and efficiency. The vessel’s hull form, structure, machinery, and electrical systems meet Coast Guard Subchapter T requirements. www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

Builder: Moran Iron Works Designer: DLBA Naval Architects (division of Gibbs & Cox) Owner: Pictured Rocks Kayaking (Munising Watersports Inc.) Mission: Kayaks launch, tourism Length: 64' Beam: 19' Main Propulsion: (2) Cummins QSK19, 800 hp Marine Gear: (2) Twin Disc MGX5146A, 1.96:1 reduction ratio Speed (knots): 25 Hull Construction: Aluminum Ship’s Service Power: Onan 21.5 kW Propeller: (2) Michigan Wheel, 36"x37", 5-bladed, nibral Steering System: Sea Star Optimus EPS 5000 Dual Crew, Passengers: 7, 72 passengers Tankage (gals.): 800 fuel Ancillary Equipment: (2) Seakeeper HD gyro stabilizer; kayak launch system Delivery Date: Summer 2019

Moran Iron Works photos

KAYAK EXPRESS SPECIFICATIONS

“This is a very exciting project for us,” said Lee Fayssoux, project manager at MIW. “It is a real privilege to have an ‘Inspired by Michigan’ vessel in our shop. This vessel will not only be capable of carrying passengers but will also be capable of deploying and retrieving guests in kayaks. It’s a revolutionary way of experiencing the beauty that Northern Michigan, particularly Pictured Rocks, has to offer.”

Fayssoux said the idea was recognized by PRK and acted on with development from MIW and DLBA. “We are ecstatic that they chose MIW for this build, and ecstatic that this vessel will serve tourists who visit the waters of Pictured Rocks,” he said.

The conceptual design of loading and unloading kayaks and passengers has been a success for PRK, officials said.

The park generates more than $30 million On Oct. 15, 1966, the 89th Congress passed Public Law 89-668 authorizing establishment of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Alger County, Mich. “... in order to preserve for the benefit, inspiration, education, recreational use, and enjoyment of the public, a significant portion of the diminishing shoreline of the United States and its related geographic and scientific features.” Upon signature into law by President Lyndon Johnson, Alger County became the home of America’s first National Lakeshore — Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Within the park there are historic lighthouses and Coast Guard sites, shipwrecks, and logging and iron industries histories. The park generates more than $30 million in economic benefits annually. www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

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WORKBOAT AWARDS / SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

Pyxis, Lyra, Vela

Advanced Multihull Design

San Francisco Bay Ferry system puts Tier 4 ferries in service.

By Michael Crowley, Correspondent

D

akota Creek Industries, Anacortes, Wash., built the 142.7' ×40'×5.4' all-aluminum Pyxis (pronounced "pik-sis") and delivered it in February 2019. The Vela followed her in August, while the Lyra will be rounding out the trio in March 2020. Both the Vela and the Lyra are built to the Pyxis design and are now part of what is being called the Pyxis class.

Pyxis, the first U.S. passenger ferry with Tier 4 emissions controls, went into service with the San Francisco Bay Ferry system in March. The 445-passenger high speed vessel is the fifth new ferry built for the fleet since the Hydrus-class started in 2017 and serves the growing Vallejo route.

It is the first of three new high-speed, high-capacity ferries that is primarily serving North Bay routes.

“They operate on a longer route than the Hydrusclass boats. We’re a one-hour trip,” said Martin Robbins, general manager of the Bay Ferry’s Vallejo division. “These are waterjet boats so they’re designed for 34 knots. They will make 37 or 38 knots running light.”

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Delivered in February, the 142.7'×39.4'×5.4', allaluminum Pyxis is the first new boat on the northern bay route since 1997. It is very similar in design to the earlier waterjet ferries also conceived by designers at Advanced Multihull Designs (AMD) of Australia, sized up to accommodate steady demand growth on the route, said Robbins.

“It’s largely the same design, 2.6 meters (8.5') longer so we can get passenger capacity up from the mid-300s to 445,” he said. “We’ve seen steady growth for five to six years. We slowed down a little bit, and that might have been because of our capacity limits. The parking lots are full and we’ve had to turn people away. Hopefully these new boats will help turn that around.”

Power comes from two MTU 16V4000M65 engines rated at 3,433 hp each, driving a pair of HamiltonJet HT810 waterjets through ZF 9055 gears. Propulsion integration

by Pacific Power Group, Kent, Wash., includes the Tier 4 emissions control — a first for U.S. ferries, and an expensive endeavor that other operators have to date avoided. www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

Owner: San Francisco Bay Ferry System Builder: Dakota Creek Industries Designer: Advanced Multihull Design Length: 142.7’ Beam: 40’ Draft: 5.4’ Propulsion: (2) MTU 16V4000M65, 3,433 hp Marine Gear: (2) ZF 9055 Waterjets: (2) HamiltonJet HT810 Speed: 37 (cruise) Seating: 445 passengers on two levels Hull Construction: Aluminum Classification: USCG Subchapter K Delivery Date: Pyxis, February 2019; Vela, August 2019; Lyra, first quarter 2020

“We didn’t have any choice, it’s the law” under California state mandates, said Robbins. PPG supplied power packages and emissions controls for the Hydrus-class boats that surpassed their nominal Tier 3 ratings, classing them as the cleanest U.S. passenger ferries.

Four older ferries also operate on the Vallejo to San Francisco run but they are 400-passenger, 28-knot ferries, whereas Pyxis and Vela top out at 34 knots when loaded and 37 to 38 knots in a light condition. The need for faster ferries carrying more passengers became apparent as ridership increased.

The San Francisco Bay Ferry System, which is operated by the Water Emergency Transportation System didn’t have any choice in using a T-4 system. With that comes extra weight. The Tier-4 system is a much heavier propulsion package, so the new ferries had to “be stretch(ed) out 10’ longer (than the previous design) to accommodate the weight growth.”

The Pyxis ferry run is 26 miles point-to-point, 52 miles round trip, from Vallejo to San Francisco. The

first mile-and-a-half is through what Robbins describes as “a low-speed channel.” After that it’s a high-speed — 34-knot — run.

It takes about an hour, counting maneuvering and docking. A 15-minute turn-around allows for excessive traffic, fog or bad weather.

So, with a 7 a.m. departure from Vallejo, the next departure would be 9:30. The turn-around time “gives us time to make sure we can keep to this schedule,” Robbins said.

On the 26-mile run, passengers can relax in the first and second-deck cabins in what Robbins refers to as transit seats. That’s an individual seat with “a tray table, cup holder and plenty of leg room. I would describe it as business-class seating.” The only bench seats are on the aft-end of the upper deck. “But that’s a little challenging to sit outside at 34 knots.”

Though the bench seats are shielded, so on a “nice, hot day people will sit outside.”

There are 166 seats on the upper level and 263 seats down below.

The Pyxis has reached its maximum capacity of 445 passengers, “a few

www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

San Francisco Bay Ferry photos

PYXIS, VELA, LYRA SPECIFICATIONS

times. Generally, it’s in the high 300s, low 400s,” said Robbins. Bicycling is important in California, thus the Pyxis-class ferries also accommodate 24 bicycles.

Unloading a nearly packed ferry of 400 people doesn’t take that long — three minutes — through two wide doors on each side of the main deck onto docks set up with boarding ramps.

The Pyxis has a three-man crew, a captain and three deckhands. One of the deckhands qualifies as a senior high-speed deckhand. That means if the captain is not capable of operating the vessel, the deckhand can take over and dock the ferry.

After about 10 months of service, Robbins reported that Pyxis and Vela “have been very popular with passengers and crew. (It has) great maneuverability is quiet — no vibrations — and smooth. Everyone is pretty happy with them,” Robbins said.

The three vessels were designed and built at a cost of $23 million each.

Funding sources include Federal Transit Administrations grants, bridge toll revenue, State Proposition KB and State Transit Assistance.

25

WORKBOAT AWARDS / SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

SFFD M2-38

Moose Boats

New dive and fire rescue vessel for San Francisco.

By Ken Hocke, Senior Editor

M

oose Boats, Vallejo, Calif., has delivered a new 38'10"×13'10" M2-38 catamaran CBRN, dive and fire rescue vessel to the San Francisco Fire Department.

SFFD’s Marine Unit responds to hundreds of shoreline and open-water search and rescue calls per year so the new M2 is outfitted with a cabin roof observation tower and an array of high-powered searchlights.

“The San Francisco Fire Department’s new, M2-38 Moose Boat will support a wide range of emergency response scenarios, such as dive operations, search and rescue, and fire suppression,” SFFD’s assistant deputy chief Anthony Rivera said when the boat was delivered in late 2018. “The SFFD annually responds to hundreds of marine related calls for service. The new Moose boat is an additional asset that will increase our marine capability and effectiveness in serving, not only the city of San Francisco, but the entire San Francisco Bay area region.”

The M2 is outfitted with an integrated dive/recovery platform and a bow ladder for beach rescues. Due to its homeland security role, it is also equipped with a Hale fire pump with Logan Clutch PTO flowing in excess of 1,500 gpm of fire suppression water, radiation detection

26

equipment and CBRN positive pressure cabin air filtration.

A heavy-duty push knee enables the M2-38 to come in contact with larger vessels and San Francisco’s many piers. The M2 is designed to meet the demands of law enforcement, fire/rescue, security and military needs. The boat, with its wide stance, is also designed to provide a fast, stable, shallow draft platform to support a variety of mission specific needs.

Main propulsion comes from twin Cummins QSB6.7 425-hp turbo diesel engines that are connected to a pair of HamiltonJet HJ292 waterjets through Twin Disc MG5075Sc marine gears.

SFFD’s new Moose boat has a host of electronics including a Simrad multifunction navigation screen, radar and 3D side scan sonar, L3 Maritime Systems AIS, FLIR stabilized thermal imaging camera, Motorola and Icom communications radios and an Ocean Technology Systems diver recall system.

FEMA’s fisal 2015 Port Security Grant Program funded 75% of the purchase for the M2-38 catamaran, which has become a vital regional asset for San Francisco Bay Area marine response efforts.

www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

SFFD M2-38

SPECIFICATIONS

SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

Moose Boats

Builder: Moose Boats Designer: Moose Boats Owner: City of San Francisco Mission: Dive and fire rescue vessel Length: 38'10" Beam: 13'10" Draft: 26" Main Propulsion: (2) Cummins QSB6.7 turbo, 425 hp Marine Gear: (2) Twin Disc MG-5075SC Waterjet: (2) HamiltonJet HJ292 Speed (knots): 35 (top); 30 (cruise) Ancillary Equipment: FLIR thermal imaging, ACR search lights, Imtra offshore deck lighting, TerraTracker radiation detection Capacities (gals.): Fuel, 300 Delivery Date: November 2018

Congratulations to all Owners, Builders and Designers of the 2019 Significant Boats

ANDREW S

ISLAND REGENT

SFFD M2-38

Builder: Main Iron Works Owner: Bisso Towboat Co. Inc. Designer: Ashraf Degedy, Bisso Towboat Co. Inc., Main Iron Works

Builder: Island Tug and Barge, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders Owner: Island Tug and Barge Designer: Robert Allan Ltd.

Builder: Moose Boats Owner: City of San Francisco Designer: Moose Boats

BOB AND BETTY BEYSTER

KAYAK EXPRESS

Builder: Armstrong Marine USA Owner: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego Designer: Armstrong Marine USA

Builder: Moran Iron Works Owner: Pictured Rocks Kayaking Designer: DLBA Naval Architects

Builder:VT Halter Marine Owner: Crowley Maritime Corp.

Designer: Wärtsilä Ship Design, Jensen Maritime

BRAZOS PILOT

Builder: Dakota Creek Industries Inc. Owner: City of San Francisco, Water Emergency Transportation Authority (operator) Designer: Advanced Multihull Designs

Builder: Metal Shark Owner: Brazos Pilots Association Designer: Metal Shark

CAPTAIN BEN MOORE

TAÍNO, EL COQUÍ

PYXIS, LYRA, VELA

Builder: Derecktor Shipyards Owner: Harbor Harvest Designer: Incat Crowther

DOLPHIN XI Builder: Gulf Craft LLC Owner: Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch Designer: Gulf Craft LLC, Incat Crowther

www.workboat.com • JANUARY 2020 • WorkBoat Significant BoatS

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON

SIGNIFICANT BOATS FOR 2020 Visit: workboat.com

27

WORKBOAT AWARDS / SIGNIFICANT BOATS OF 2019

EL COQUÍ, TAÍNO SPECIFICATIONS Builder: VT Halter Marine Designer: Wärsilä Ship Design/Jensen Maritime Owner: Crowley Maritime Corp./Crowley Global Ship Management Mission: Container/Ro-Ro service between Florida and Puerto Rico Length: 720' Beam: 105' Depth: 59' Draft: 31' Deadweight Tonnage: 26,500 Main Propulsion: MAN B&W 8S70ME-GI, 28,769 hp @ 91 rpm Speed: 22 knots Bowthruster: Wärtsilä CT225H, 1,515 kW Ship's Service Power: (3) MAN 9L28/32DF, 1,800 kW Propeller: 328"x291", 5-bladed Controls: Siemens Steering System: Rolls-Royce RV2600-3, Becker Flap Rudder Crew: 21/30 max in 23 staterooms

associated with additional emissions hardware needed to make diesel vessels compliant for 2020 and beyond, we felt justified [in going with] the higher initial investment in LNG.” El Coquí and Taíno are able to transport up to 2,400 20-foot-equivalent container units (TEUs) and a mix of nearly 400 cars and larger vehicles in the enclosed, ventilated and weathertight ro-ro decks.

“The diverse cargo carrying capabilities, as well as the ability to carry in-demand 53-foot containers, means that these high-performing ships will greatly benefit customers shipping goods between the mainland and the island,” said John Hourihan, senior vice president and general manager, Puerto Rico services. “Cargo for businesses and consumers will be able to dependably reach markets at peak time, whether it is dry, refrigerated or breakbulk, such as vehicles and other rolling stock.”

The ships are specifically designed for the Puerto Rico service providing some of the fastest delivery times available in the market on the types 28

of cargo Crowley’s customers demand, said Cosgrove. “The legacy service The Chris Reeves is the second of four Z-drive towboats. provided for movement of 53'×102" intermodal trailers that later Puerto Rico service. In San Juan, were replaced by container on chassis Crowley now utilizes three new, shipof the same size. This is the standard to-shore gantry cranes at the company’s intermodal container unit for the U.S. Isla Grande Terminal to add speed to market, and the carriage of these units vessel unloading. The cranes are the above and below deck is a must for the [Puerto Rico] service. In addition, the first new, specialized gantry cranes vessel carries a mix of 20-, 40-, 45-foot placed in operation in San Juan Harbor in more than five decades. The cranes equipment in addition to handling complement a new 900'×114' concrete power for over 300 refrigerated pier at Isla Grande. containers. Speed, flexibility, a direct In addition, Crowley has expanded link to standard U.S. intermodal Isla Grande’s terminal capacity for equipment sizes. This makes these handling refrigerated containers; vessels specific to the Puerto Rico paved 15 acres to accommodate market.” container stacking; added containers He added that Crowley customers and associated handling equipment depend on the company’s vehicle services. With the completely enclosed to its fleet; installed a new electrical and ventilated vehicle decks, the substation to provide power for the new company has a unique feature in the gantry cranes; constructed a new seventrade with a capacity to transport 400 lane exit gate to increase speed and vehicles and equipment, Cosgrove said. efficiency for trucking partners; and El Coquí’s first run in 2018 was part implemented a new, modern terminal operating software system. of an overall upgrade of Crowley’s Crowley Maritime

Taíno and El Coquí, continued from page 3

Capacities: 2,400 TEUs; 387 vehicles (approximate); 300 reefer plugs; 2,288 M3 LNG; 2,003 M3 ultra low sulfur marine gas oil; 128 M3 lube oil; and 310 M3 fresh water Ancillary Equipment: Rolls-Royce Anchor Windlass, Rolls-Royce Mooring Winches, Hyde Guardian ballast water treatment system; TTs stern ramp; (3) INOXCVA double wall, vacuum insulated LNG tank, 4.5 Bar max pressure; TGE Marine gas system engineered Classification/ Certification: Det Norske Veritas (DNV) classed Maltese Cross A1 General Cargo Carrier, CONTAINER, RO/RO, NAUTICUS (Newbuilding), GAS FUELED, DG-P, BIS, TMON, BWM-T, EO, NAUT-OC, CLEAN Delivery Date: El Coquí, July 2018; Taíno, December 2018

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