Shipyard for Lease

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of San Francisco is in the midst of finding bidders to lease a 14.7-acre ship repair facility and its equipment that is being upgraded.

The shipyard features 16 buildings and 17.4 acres of submerged lands with tenant-controlled access, as well as floating Dry Dock #2, floating Dry Dock Eureka, shore power capability and other port-owned assets.

Improvements have been made to the site, with more on the way, including a newer electrical system and power grid separation project, a new 19th Street extension near Illinois Street, and the removal of two run-down buildings. All three projects are expected to be completed by April 2018.

There are also plans to dredge at Dry Dock #2 and Wharf 4 East, as well as a “close-to-final project partnership agreement” with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to keep dredging the Central Basin, the shipyard’s access point.

All American Marine Wins Catamaran Contract

By Mark Edward Nero

Bellingham, Washington-based All American Marine has been awarded a contract with the US Army Corps of Engineers for the design and construction of a new hydrofoil supported aluminum catamaran survey vessel, the Army Corps said Feb. 22.

The new vessel is expected to replace the 46-year-old survey boat Shuman, and primarily perform survey missions and some dive operations in support of dredging work planned within the Corps’ Philadelphia district.

The as yet unnamed 68- by 26-foot custom aluminum catamaran will be designed by Auckland, New Zealand firm Teknicraft Design, Ltd., for whom All American Marine is the exclusive in North America builder.

The aluminum hull will feature the Teknicraft Design signature hull shape with symmetrical bow, asymmetrical tunnel and integrated wave piercer. A custom aluminum hydrofoil will be fit to span between the sponsons to generate lift of the semi displacement hulls and enhance performance.

Power for the propeller driven vessel will be provided by a pair of Caterpillar C18 diesel engines rated at 1,001 BHP at 2,300 rpm, with an EPA Tier III emissions rating. Auxiliary power will be supplied via twin Northern Lights C40M.3 40.kW generators. The vessel will have a cruise speed of 28 knots.

The vessel’s suite of deck gear includes a hydraulic A-frame, davit, scientific winch, and moon pool with deployable sonar strut. Dive platforms will be fit to the transom of each sponson.

This latest contract follows the delivery of the 62-foot Florida II, a foil assisted survey vessel that All American Marine was previously awarded to build for the US Army Corp’s Jacksonville, Fla. district.

Willard Marine Delivers Rescue Boat

By Mark Edward Nero

Anaheim-based Willard Marine said Jan. 26 that it has delivered a SOLAS 670 rescue boat to the U.S. Army to serve aboard the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredge McFarland in Philadelphia.

The 22-foot SOLAS rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) is outfitted with a Volvo Penta D3 220-hp inboard engine paired with a Hamilton Jet HJ2274 waterjet and performs at speeds of up to 26.5 knots and accommodates nine passengers, according to Willard Marine.

Also, a Cranston Eagle single-point lifting frame is incorporated into the rescue boat for a more dynamic launch and recovery system. Safety features include a self-righting frame and a 40-ounce, UV-resistant polyurethane collar with a reinforced rub strake.

The USACE dredge McFarland maintains the navigation channel of the Delaware River and Delaware Bay, and is made available for federal dredge navigation projects on the US East and Gulf coasts.

For over 10 years, Willard Marine has built SOLAS 670 vessels for agencies across the United States, including the Military Sealift Command, Maersk, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the US Navy.

“In an emergency at sea, people need a rescue boat they can count on,” Willard Marine President and CEO Ulrich Gottschling said. “That’s why military agencies and large maritime operations consistently choose Willard Marine, the only American manufacturer of SOLAS fast rescue boats.”

Willard Marine, the sole American manufacturer of SOLAS rescue boats, has developed watercraft for the US military, Department of Homeland Security, foreign governments, law enforcement agencies, search-and-rescue organizations and private companies since 1957.

Grays Harbor Signs Harbor Improvement Agreement

By Mark Edward Nero

The Port of Grays Harbor signed a project partnership agreement for a harbor navigation improvement project on May 26 at the US Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District Headquarters.

The Grays Harbor Navigation Improvement Project plans to deepen about 14.5 miles of the 27.5-mile channel from the currently maintained depth of -36 feet to the fully authorized depth of -38 feet. The deepening would occur from the South Reach upstream to Cow Point Reach where the port’s Terminal 4 is located.

The project’s purpose is to improve the efficiency of deep-draft vessel navigation in Grays Harbor. The port and Army Corps of Engineers say the project is needed to alleviate large vessel restrictions imposed by the insufficient channel depths. Ship transportation in the existing upstream channel is limited by depth, they say.

Port commissioners Jack Thompson and Stan Pinnick, port Executive Director Gary Nelson and International Longshore & Warehouse Union Local 24 President Mike Brown were joined by US Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Col. John G. Buck, Commander of the Seattle District USACE, for the ceremonial signing of the agreement, which allows the project to begin construction this fall.

“Grays Harbor provides an important link between United States products and international markets,” Nelson said. “This project directly supports hundreds of family-wage jobs and ensures our position to serve our diverse users well into the future.”