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NEW" TONNAGE Avondale Christens First Deuble-Hulled Tanker For AHL Shipping O n September 28, Avondale Industries, Inc. and American Heavy Lift (AHL) Shipping Company christened what is reportedly the first commercial, self-pro- pelled, double hull tanker built in the U.S. to conform with OPA90 and the Jones Act. The 680-ft. (207.2-m) product carrier was chris- tened Captain H. A. Downing. The new ship is named for Captain Henry A. Downing, who established AHL in 1985, and now presides as vice president and gen- eral manager of the company. The ship is the first of four AHL tankers being built as double-hulled ships with the addition of a new 510-ft. (155.4-m) long dou- ble-hulled forebody constructed by Avondale. The new forebody is joined to the renovated and modified existing stern section — where the engines, crew quarters and bridge are located — to complete the conversion into a modern, environmentally sound, double- hulled product carrier. Before joining the forebody and stern sec- tions of the new ship, Avondale fabricated and installed three additional deck levels which were added to the stern's superstruc- ture. The same procedure will be repeated on the three subsequent AHL vessels. Construction is progressing on the remain- ing three ships in the AHL program. The second double-hulled forebody was launched on September 25, and the new ship will be christened Anasazi. The forebody of the third ship, to be named New River, is also presently under construc- tion at Avondale. A keel-laying ceremony was held on October 2 for the fourth ship, which will be named The Monseigneur. The AHL double-hulled product carriers will transport refined products and chemi- cals. The ships have a beam of 90 ft. (27.4 m) Captain H. A. Downing is shown on sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico. and a draft of 36 ft. (11 m). They will dis- place 50,035 long tons and have a DWT of 39,400. Powered by 15,000 hp, the new ships are reportedly capable of speeds of 15.5 knots at fully loaded cargo oil capacity of 275,800 bar- rels. AHL Shipping Company, headquartered in New Orleans, owns and operates a fleet of U.S. flag product/chemical carriers. Avondale Industries, Inc., also headquar- tered in New Orleans, designs, builds and overhauls both military and commercial ves- sels. For more information on Avondale Circle 42 on Reader Service Card \ THE NO. 1 FENDER FOR SHIP ASSIST WORK! Five years ago when our clients were asking us to build them a softer and stronger fender, we did something about it. The result is the Model SR3D Soft Loop Style Fender. 16901 WOOD-RED RD. WOODINVILLE, WA 98072 (800) 426-3917 FAX (206) 488-2424 L.F. GAUBERT & CO. INC. Circle 322 on Reader Service Card More Than 45 Years Of Dependable Service! P.O. BOX 50500 • NEW ORLEANS, LA • 70150 Phone: (504)822-7272 Fax: (504)821 -9309 1 -800-831-7534 Call Us For Your FREE Newsletter DISTRIBUTE & MANUFACTURE ELECTRICAL SHIPBOARD CABLES NAVY-COMMERCIAL-CONTROL ELECTRONIC-PORTABLE COMMUNICATION-SIGNAL-MINING WELDING-COAXIAL & POWER CABLES-FABRICATE ELECTRICAL CABLES TO YOUR SPECIFICATIONS Quality Is Our MOST Important Feature! 98 Circle 255 on Reader Service Card Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
