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Bids for New Passenger Vessels An invitation to bid on the construction of a new Passenger Only Ferry and a new Cargo/Passenger Ferry for Puerto Rico Maritime Transportation Administration (PRMTA) of Fajardo, Puerto Rico is expected later this month. Bristol Harbor Marine Design (BHMD) is currently developing the performance specifica- tions for the vessels. Juan Cirino, the Executive Director of PRMTA, is excited about the new vessels, "we need the new Passenger Only Ferry to handle the continued growth of both Municipal Islands, but more importantly, we need this fast vessel to better serve the residents of Vieques and Culebra." Mr. Cirino adds, "we also need the large Cargo / Passenger Ferry to support the continued development of both Islands. We are currently taxing our smaller cargo vessels every day." A Request For Proposals (RFP) for both vessels is expected. Preliminarily, the ves- sels include one (1) Subchapter K Passen- ger Only Ferry; and one (1) Subchapter K Cargo / Passenger Ferry. Commensurate with publishing the RFP, preliminary performance specifica- tions will be accessible by visiting BHMD's website at: http://www.bristol- harborgroup.com/downloads.html, and selecting the documents under "Project 05484 -Passenger Only Ferry and Cargo /Passenger Ferry for Puerto Rico Mar- itime Transportation Authority (Fajardo, Puerto Rico)". Construction for both vessels may be awarded to one shipyard group capable of building both vessels; or two awards may be made, one for each vessel; or only one award may be made if PRMTA elects to build only one vessel at this time. The RFP was expected to be published on or around February 24, 2006. Interested bid- ders will be required to attend one of the two prebid meetings. Crowley to Build Deck Barges Crowley has awarded a two-barge con- struction contract to Gunderson Marine of Portland, Oregon, with the first vessel to be available for service in early 2007. The new construction of these two Heavy Lift Series 400 x 105-ft. deck barges to handle project work for the offshore energy industry in the Gulf of Mexico will expand and keep current Crowley's fleet for customers of the company's marine services business segment. Crowley's new Heavy Lift Series 400 x 105-ft. barges will provide both the capacity and deck strength needed to accommodate the favored larger units for deepwater devel- opment. The barges will also be suitable for use in other regions, including Alaska, where Crowley has regularly performed summer sealifts to the North Slope. "The design of these new barges gives us flexi- bility in deployment based upon customer and market requiremets," said John Dou- glass, senior vice president and general manager, marine services. "Our customers will be well served by the stronger deck strength and the latest engineering on these barges." Crowley's new barges will be classed by the American Bureau of Shipping and receive certification from the United States Coast Guard. Circle 16 on Reader Service Card Blount Signs Deal With Chicago Tour Boat Company Blount Boats, Inc. has signed a contract with Wendella Sightseeing Company, Inc. to construct an 89 x 30 ft. steel excursion vessel. The vessel was designed by Timo- thy Graul Marine Design and will operate in the Chicago area. The 300-passenger vessel will be powered by twin screw Caterpillar engines. Delivery for Hull #320 is scheduled for April 2007 via the Erie Canal. Wendella Sightseeing, Chica- go's original tour boat company has been operating since 1935. The family owned and operated compa- ny currently operates six boats in the Chicago area providing architectural and sightseeing tours, private charters and Chicago's only passenger ferry system, the Wendella RiverBus. Circle 17 on Reader Service Card March, 2006 • MarineNews 11 NEWS Circle 246 on Reader Service Card All American Delivers for NOAA All American Marine Inc. launched a 56 x 21 ft. catamaran, built under contract for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis- tration (NOAA). The high-speed patrol vessel has been assigned to operate in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) and its Tortugas Ecological Reserve off the Southern coast of Flori- da. The vessel will serve as a long-range law enforcement patrol boat in the lower Keys. The patrol vessel is owned and maintained by NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program in the Florida Keys. Daily vessel operations will be administered by FKNMS law enforcement officers. The boat offers accommodations for four offi- cers and can comfortably endure long patrols. The long distance traveled between home port and the patrol area requires that the ves- sel operates with extreme fuel efficiency. The patrol craft is powered by twin MTU 8V2000 M92 engines, each delivering 1085 hp at 2450 rpm. The propulsion package includes Hamilton Jet 403 water jets. The vessel has a 42 knot cruise speed in mission condition and can perform at speeds in excess of 44 knots. The Teknicraft designed hull and hydrofoil technology offers peak performance, while maintaining excellent seakeeping ability and high fuel efficiency. Circle 15 on Reader Service Card MARCH MN2006 2(9-16).qxd 3/3/2006 2:19 PM Page 11
