Casino Vessel News

DeJong & Lebet, Inc. announced that Norman N. DeJong passed away on November 7, 2013. Norman was 75 years old at the time of his passing. Norman was one of the founding partners of DeJong & Lebet, Inc., Naval Architects, in 1983 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was born in Blokker, Noord Holland, the Netherlands, immigrating to the US after earning a BS in Naval Architecture at HTS Haarlem in 1959. He worked at Phillip F. Spaulding in Seattle, and NASSCO in San Diego before moving to Jacksonville, FL to work at Gibbs / Aerojet General in 1963.

The motto at Guido Perla & Associates, Inc. (GPA) for over thirty years and continuing to this day has always been: Engineering Ideas into Reality. For clients worldwide, no matter how large or small the project, from single vessels to an unprecedented number of vessels in one series, the adage rings true. Behind the company’s success and commitment to each and every client is a team of over 70 professionals on four continents, led by the company’s Chairman Guido Perla and supported by his management team.

Omega Commercial Finance Corporation announced that it has finalized its acquisition of a luxury casino cruise ship with Oceans 21-Miami LLC and its majority shareholder. The casino cruise ship's name shall be changed to the Omega Royale and will be deployed in international waters as part of the offshore casino cruise industry. The Omega Royale will be a 100,000 sq. ft. resort-style casino vessel equipped with a 49,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art casino that will include approximately 500 player tracking slot machines and 64 table games consisting of Baccarat, Black Jack, Craps and Roulette. The casino will be spread over four decks, which will be connected via elevators and escalators. Omega Royale expects to compete primarily with other gaming operations within a one hundred mile radius.

Leevac Industries, LLC of Jennings, La., won a $40 million contract from PNK (Lake Charles), LLC for the construction of a 330 x 225 x 13-ft. (100.5 x 68.5 x 3.9 m) Paddlewheel Casino Vessel. Lay, Pittman and Associates, Inc. of Jacksonville, Fla., are the naval architects. The casino vessel will hold more than 1,500 slot machines and 60 table games and will be moored in Lake Charles, La. This vessel will be the largest riverboat casino built in the State of Louisiana. Leevac’s President, William F. Stokes said, “We are pleased that Pinnacle Entertainment has placed the confidence in our ability to construct this project and the award…

The Big M Casino, Inc of Fort Myers, Fla., has awarded a contract to Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Panama City, Florida to construct a casino vessel. The as yet unnamed vessel will join the existing vessel, Royal Gambler, in providing offshore casino services to the Fort Myers market. The vessel was designed by John W. Gilbert and Associates, a prominent naval architect firm located in Hingham, Massachusetts. The interior design will be performed by Bauer Interiors of New Orleans, Louisiana.Bauer Interiors is one of the best-known companies in design, traffic and ergonomics of casino vessels. The vessel is 186 ft. long with a beam of 38 ft. and a molded depth of 11.5 ft., and depending on conditions, will have a loaded draft of 8 ft. She will accommodate 600 passengers plus a crew of 72.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled that a crewmember who, at the direction of his supervisor, violates a Coast Guard regulation and later quits his employment has no cause of action against his employer for wrongful discharge. In the instant case, plaintiff was employed on defendant’s casino vessel as a licensed assistant engineer. He asserted that when there were not enough engine utilitymen working to comply with the vessel’s Coast Guard certificate of inspection, his supervisors ordered him to enter the name of an employee even though that employee was not actually present. After almost two years of making such false record entries and allegedly experiencing a hostile work environment, plaintiff quit his employment. He later filed this action against his employer.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that, for purposes of the Jones Act, a permanently moored dockside casino is not a vessel in navigation and its employees are not seamen entitled to protection under the Act. In the instant case, the casino vessel was documented and inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard, but only got underway once each year for engine and maneuvering tests. The court held that the vessel was not engaged in the transportation of passengers or cargo and was thus not a vessel in navigation under the Jones Act. Personal injury claims asserted by employees under the Jones Act were therefore dismissed. Howard v. Southern Illinois Riverboat Casino Cruises, Inc., No. 02-3818 (7th Cir.)(HK Law)

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that title insurance written to cover a real estate project for a gaming development did not include a casino vessel that was under construction at a distant location. In the instant case, a financial institution loaned monies to a casino company to build a gaming development. The development was to include both a landside infrastructure and a casino vessel. The casino vessel was to be built at a remote location and towed to the site when completed. The insurance used to protect to investment was a slightly modified version of a standard real estate title insurance policy. Construction of the casino vessel went far over budget and the shipyard brought suit, forcing the gaming company into bankruptcy.

Bollinger Shipyard's Quick Repair facility on the Harvey Canal in New Orleans is unique among workboat repair shipyards. It has capabilities well beyond the normal vessel dry-docking and repair. Not only is the work done there, but also most of the needed underwater parts can be fabricated or repaired there. The shipyard has a machine shop to fabricate and repair shafts; an electrical shop where motors and generators can be rewound and load tested plus a complete propeller overhaul facility with a large inventory of propellers on hand. Mighty valuable capabilities if you are a towboat owner and one of your vessels just hit "something" and the resulting vibration tells your crew the vessel needs service now. Bollinger Quick Repair's (BQR) strategic location, just 1,100 ft.

While the Casino boat building business has been stagnant for nearly a decade, there maybe emerging opportunities for growth. For naval architects, shipyards, interior designers and marine systems and equipment suppliers the mid 1990's was a heady time. Over 100 casino boats were built during this time. If there are more on the way, it will be a smaller market this time around. The market is not so much for new boats for new jurisdictions, since the last casino boat legislation was passed in Indiana in 1993, almost 12 years ago. What is happening is that those boats are now 12 years old and needing replacement. Over the past couple of years some boats have been replaced.

Jamestown Metal Marine Sales, Inc. has been awarded a contract by Blue Chip Casino, LLC, a subsidiary of Boyd Gaming, to construct a new casino vessel at Blue Chip's Michigan City, Indiana facility. The new vessel, which will replace the present vessel, will be approximately 400 ft. in length with a beam of 200 feet and provide about 75,000 square feet of gaming area on a single deck. In addition to the gaming area there will be another 85,000 square feet of back of house and future gaming areas on other decks. Jamestown was selected by Blue Chip Casino for this high visibility project based on Jamestown's significant experience outfitting casino vessels and managing other turnkey marine construction projects. This will be Jamestown's 26th casino project.

R&R Marine Fabrication and Drydock has begun construction of two specialty hull modules for Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. Arthur, Texas facility. renovation and expansion of its Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, IN. The keel for the first hull module was laid on August 8, 2006. completed, each module will measure 276 x 102 ft. and 22 ft. deep, weighing approximately 1,700 tons. The modules will be combined with four others being built elsewhere into a 564 foot long, 320 foot wide, and 22-ft. deep casino vessel. Both modules being constructed by R&R Marine are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2007. drydock services to vessels in the maritime industry. drill rigs, tugs, barges and other offshore support vessels.

Jamestown Metal Marine Sales, Inc. has successfully delivered the completed Blue Chip 2 casino vessel to Blue Chip Casino, at Blue Chip’s Michigan City, Ind., facility. gaming area on a single deck. back of house and future gaming areas on other decks. constructed for the project. interior finishes, and the gaming facilities. concert with Blue Chip Casino’s local construction management team. unmatched in its unobstructed access having all gaming positions on one level. and parking facility. and the new Blue Chip 2 was motored into position to adjoin the newly renovated support pavilion. provide a grand view and openness unseen in other casino vessels built to date. the United States Coast Guard. firm of Andrea Piacentini Design, both of Seattle, Washington.

The Houston Business Journal has reported that J. Ray McDermott Inc has begun construction on two specialty barges for Harrah's Entertainment Inc. The two casino barges currently under construction will become part of Harrah's Horseshoe Casino expansion project in Hammond, Ind. Each measures 276 feet long by 102 feet wide and 22 feet deep, with a weight of about 1,700 tons. They will be combined with four other barges being built elsewhere to create a 564-foot long, 320-foot wide casino vessel.

Washburn & Doughty Associates launched a 186 ft. offshore casino vessel for Cajun Express, Inc., of Boston, Mass. Hull 65, yet to be named, is the largest vessel built by Washburn & Doughty, edging out 185-ft., Great Point, an 800-passenger vessel running from Hyannis, Mass. The new vessel is a lengthened and widened version of 162-ft. Big M Casino, which was delivered to Cajun Express in July, 1996, and now operates out of Fort Myers, Fla. Specifically designed to handle offshore conditions with heavy gaming equipment on board, Hull 65 measures 186 x 38 ft., with a 7.5 ft. draft. It will carry a minimum of 500 passengers and 72 crew. The vessel's anticipated running speed is 15 knots, making for a quick trip to gaming waters.

Mark A. Robicheaux, Inc., Marine Joiner Contractors, located in Morgan City, La., provides custom marine joiner services. Two companies have been added to the service family to provide more complete and controlled joiner packages. Robicheaux Manufacturing offers custom/modular yacht and plastic laminate marine furniture and millwork, and Robicheaux Insulation Systems provides insulation installations for the marine, industrial and offshore industries. The contracting segment of the business has completed marine projects, including offshore living quarters, jack-up marine vessel quarters, workboat and crewboat interiors, dive boat interiors and dinner cruise, yacht and casino vessel interiors.

Alabama Shipyard and Hollywood Park have signed a contract to construct a casino vessel for the Belterra Resort and Casino in Switzerland County, Indiana. Known as a diversified gaming company, Hollywood Park received the last available license to conduct riverboat gaming operations on the Ohio River in September 1998. The fourteenth casino vessel to be built by Los Angeles-based Hollywood Park, the vessel measures 370 ft. (112.7 m) with a beam of 104 ft. (31.6 m) - making it one of the largest casino vessels in operation. Designed by Rodney E. Lay and Associates, the casino boat, which is to be delivered in July 2000, will feature 1,800 gaming positions.

Alabama Shipyard Inc will be building a casino boat for Hollywod Park, Inc. who will operate the cruising riverboat from Belterra Resort and Casino in Indiana about 35 miles south of Cincinnati Ohio. Shore side facilities will include a hotel and golf course, while the vessel will contain 1,800 gaming positions. The Hollywood Park casino vessel will be the 14th casino vessel built by Atlantic Marine companies and the second such vessel to be built at Alabama Shipyards. At 370 x 104 ft., it will be one of the largest casino vessels in operation. Propulsion will be provided by three 12-cylinder Cummins KTA38 M2 engines each producing 1,300 hp at 1,800 rpm for a total of 3,900 hp turning cardon shafts and driving three Shottel rudder propellers.

There are a number of trends currently affecting the marine interior design field. First, vessels are being built larger with more numerous public spaces, each of which needs to have its own ambience while still maintaining common themes throughout the ship. This is particularly challenging in refurbishment work when only a portion of the existing spaces are upgraded, yet all spaces must flow together. Second, new regulations must be understood and adhered to. This includes the regulatory interpretations of each of the Societies overseeing new construction and refurbishment. Another developing trend ? particularly in the ferry and fast ferry markets ? is the need to reduce weight while maintaining serviceability.

Measuring 175 ft. in length, dinner cruise vessel Starship was recently delivered to Starship Cruise Lines of Biloxi, Miss. Boasting a mega-yacht style, the vessel was designed by Naval Architects Dejong & Lebet of Jacksonville, Fla., and constructed by Freeport, Fla.-based Freeport Shipbuilding. Plachter-Vogel Design provided interior architecture. USCG-Certified under Subchapter K for 600 passengers, plus 30 crew, Starship carries a Stability Letter for Partially Protected waters. The vessel is designed to have a 5-5.6 ft. full load draft enabling it to access some of the Biloxi area's more shallow waterways. The hull features tunnels to allow large enough propellers while minimizing the draft.

MSC (Europe) Ltd., the European subsidiary of Maritime Services Corporation, Hood River, Ore. is currently handling various projects throughout the U.K. and Europe, mainly a $2 million conversion of a fast ferry into a casino vessel for Israeli-based Athissa Shipping. MSC provided ship units, project management and fitters for installation of duty free and other shops onboard Fred Olsen's MV Black Watch. The company also installed galley modifications and waste handling equipment onboard Arcalia Shipping's Princess Danae at A&P Falmouth. The company has further extended its expansion capabilities with new offices in Cape Canaveral and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. to meet the growing demands in these markets.

M/V Alton Belle, the former 156 ft. casino vessel is being converted to dinner cruise service by Cape Fear Riverboats of Wilmington, N.C. Renamed Henrietta III, the vessel's engineering will be completed by DeJong & Lebet Naval Architects. The vessel operated for several years in Alton, Ill. after undergoing a lengthening and conversion for casino service in 1991. This marks the second casino-into-dinner vessel conversion for DeJong & Lebet - the company initially converted Celebration Cruises' Joe Schadler, which was later renamed Celebration Belle.