Marine Link
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Nichols Brothers News

02 Jan 2024

NOMARS Puts New Officers in Charge

(Credit: DARPA)

DARPA’s NOMARS program aims to revolutionize naval operations by designing a ship that can operate autonomously for extended periods at sea without an onboard crew.One project at the forefront of maritime innovation is the development of a vessel called “Defiant,” a project of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The Defiant is referred to as a NOMARS vessel – “No Manning Required Ship.”The project’s been underway at least since January 2020, when DARPA held a “proposers day…

27 Oct 2023

Nichols Brothers Wins Contract to Build NOMARS Uncrewed Vessel

Concept design for NOMARS Defiant unmanned ship (Image: DARPA)

Freeland, Wash. shipbuilder Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) announced it has been awarded a contract to construct an uncrewed autonomous vessel for the U.S. Department of Defense's research and development agency.The No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) project was awarded by Serco North America, the prime contractor and designer of the vessel, for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).The program aims to revolutionize naval operations by designing a ship that…

13 Mar 2023

Washington State Ferries' Cathlamet Repaired After Terminal Allision

(Photo: Everett Ship Repair)

A Washington State Ferries (WSF) vessel has been repaired after it allided into the Fauntleroy dock in Seattle last summer.Everett, Wash. repair yard Everett Ship Repair (ESR) served as the prime contractor for emergency repairs to WSF's Cathlamet, and it subcontracted sister-company Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) to construct a new steel pickle fork at its facility on Whidbey Island. A pickle fork is the area of a passenger deck extending above the end of the car decks…

13 Jan 2023

Nichols Brothers Boat Builders Hires Roney as Sales, Marketing Director

Peter Roney (Photo: Shared Ice Services, LLC)

Peter Roney has been hired to join the executive management team supporting U.S. West Coast shipyards Nichols Brothers Boat Builders and Everett Ship Repair.The news was announced by Shared Ice Services (SIS) is a subsidiary of Ice Cap Holding, the parent company of Ice Floe, dba Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) and Everett Ship Repair (ESR). SIS was recently established to support the operations of the two shipyards.NBBB is a newbuild and repair yard in Freeland, Wash., and ESR is a service and repair facility in Everett…

22 Aug 2022

US DARPA to Build, Test, Demonstrate Uncrewed Ship

Concept design for NOMARS Defiant unmanned ship. (Image: Serco Inc.)

The U.S. Department of Defense's research and development agency is moving into the second phase of a project to to build and demonstrate a new seagoing unmanned surface vessel.The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) on Monday announced  it is moving into Phase 2 of the No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) program, which seeks to build and demonstrate a revolutionary new medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV) that can go to sea and perform missions with unprecedented reliability and availability, while carrying a significant payload.

22 Jul 2022

MARAD Awards $19.6 Million in Small Shipyard Grants

(File photo: Gladding Hearn)

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced $19.6 million in grant awards to 24 small shipyards in 19 states through the Small Shipyard Grant Program.The funds will help awardees—many of which being family-run businesses—modernize, increase productivity and expand local employment opportunities while competing in the global marketplace, MARAD said.“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy, and small shipyards play a critical role in America’s maritime industry, helping us get the goods we depend on every day,” said U.S.

05 May 2022

Everett Ship Repair Names New Drydock

Gavin Higgins, Everett Ship Repair CEO; Lisa Lefeber, Director and CEO Port of Everett; Jon Hie Everett Ship Repair General Manager (Photo: ESR)

On Wednesday, May 4, 2022, Everett Ship Repair, LLC (ESR) hosted a naming ceremony and grand opening for their newest drydock, the Emerald Lifter. The Emerald Lifter, formally the Zidell 220, was relocated to ESR’s facility at the Port of Everett last month. ESR performed maintenance and preservation before it was put into operation on May 3, with it’s first drydocking.The Emerald Lifter has a lifting capacity of 2,000 tons and a working deck of 220’ x 62’. It will be in use along with ESR’s existing dry dock the Faithful Servant…

30 Mar 2022

Everett Ship Repair Adds Crane Barge and Second Dry Dock

(Photo: Everett Ship Repair)

Everett, Wash. repair yard Everett Ship Repair announced it is expanding through the addition of a crane barge and second dry dock.ESR said it recently purchased the dry dock Zidell 220 to be relocated to its facility at the Port of Everett for operation by early spring 2022. The dry dock, with lifting capacity of 2,000 tons and working deck area of 220 feet by 62 feet, will be renamed Emerald Lifter in tribute to Puget Sound, which is also known as the Emerald Sea.ESR said it will also bring in a 150-ton Link Belt LS518 lattice boom crawler crane with 150 ft.

22 Nov 2021

Marine News' Top Boats of 2021

Sea Change (Photo: All America Marine)

Sea Change - America’s first hydrogen powered ferrySWITCH Maritime’s new 70-foot passenger ferry Sea Change is navigating uncharted waters as the United States’ first zero-emissions, hydrogen fuel cell-powered, electric-drive ferry.The pioneering aluminum newbuild, constructed by Bellingham, Wash. shipbuilder All American Marine, Inc. (AAM), has been completed and was launched this summer, though permitting of hydrogen fuel systems for maritime vessels is still being worked out with the U.S. Coast Guard.“Legislation and laws for passenger safety did not exist yet for this type of vessel.

16 Aug 2021

Marine Autonomy: The Future is Being Revealed

Foss ASD 90 class tractor tug (Photo: Foss Maritime)

Automation, where routine tasks are handled by machines, has been talked about throughout maritime sectors for much of the 21st Century. Initially touted by suppliers of engine room and bridge management systems for its cost savings (with reduced manning levels), its value proposition was then infused with risk management (reduced human error) and remote operations, where vessels could be managed from a shoreside control room. In early 2017, Rolls Royce —an early proponent of unmanned operations—teamed with tug operator Svitzer on a remotely operated vessel…

09 Aug 2021

Nichols Brothers Delivers Second Ferry to Kitsap Transit

(Photo: Nichols Brothers Boat Builders)

Shipbuilder Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) said it has delivered the second of two 255-passenger-only ferries to Kitsap Transit of Bremerton, Wash. Like the first-in-class-vessel the Enetai, the Commander outperformed design expectations during vessel trials, delivering to Kitsap Transit a lighter, faster, and smoother riding vessel, the builder said. Kitsap Transit awarded a design and construction contract to Nichols Brothers Boat Builders for two new ferries in December 2018.

12 Jul 2021

Nichols Brothers Delivers Fourth Tug to Foss

(Photo: Nichols Brothers Boat Builders)

Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) said it has delivered the final vessel in a series of four new tugs for Foss Maritime.The ASD-90 tractor tugs Jamie Ann, Sarah Avrick, Leisa Florence and Rachael Allen were completed and delivered between April 2020 and June 2021. Foss, a division of the Saltchuk company, will station two of the vessels in Los Angeles/Long Beach, while the other two vessels will be in the San Francisco Bay providing escort and assist services to large tankers and containerships calling on the California ports.The series' fourth vessel…

06 May 2021

Foss to Operate Autonomous Harbor Tug

Foss' Leisa Florence ASD-90 tugboat, sister vessel to Rachael Allen (Photo: Foss Maritime)

Foss Maritime’s newest vessel will be the first U.S.-flag harbor tug to integrate autonomous systems in real-world commercial operations.Launched on April 29 and scheduled for delivery in May 2021, the newly built 90-ton bollard pull Rachael Allen—the fourth in a series of ASD-90 Z-drive tractor tugs being built at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, in Freeland, Wash.—will feature Sea Machines Robotics’ SM300 autonomous-command and -control system. The system's capabilities include transit autonomy…

20 Jan 2021

New Kitsap Transit Ferry Completes Sea Trials

Enetai is a new catamaran ferry due to enter the Kitsap Transit fleet in a few weeks. Photo: BMT

A new BMT design 140-ft. catamaran passenger ferry has  reportedly passed its sea trial and is due to enter the Kitsap Transit fleet in the next few weeks. Dubbed Enetai, the boat was built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) in Seattle, with a sister vessel, Commander,  due to be launched later in 2021.The ferry is designed to carry 255 passengers on a single deck, with space for up to 26 bicycles. Designed with combined bow and side loaders to enable operations at multiple terminals…

20 Nov 2020

Mackay Marine Outfits Kitsap Transit's New Ferries

(Photo: Mackay Marine)

Mackay Marine said it provided marine electronics systems and technologies for Kitsap Transit's two new 250-passenger vessels built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB).Bremerton, Wash.-based public transit agency ordered the new vessels in December 2018 to provide expedient commuter services to downtown Seattle from both Kingston, Wash. and a planned Southworth, Wash. route.The bow-loading fast ferries, built by NBBB at its Whidbey Island, Wash. shipyard, are state-of-the-art, low-wake vessels.

18 Nov 2020

Nichols Brothers Launches Tug for Foss

Leisa Florence upon arrival to NBBB’s outfitting Pier in Langley, Wash. The vessel will undergo final outfitting, dock and sea trials before delivery in December 2020. (Photo: Nichols Brothers Boat Builders)

Leisa Florence, the third of four ASD-90 Class tugs for Foss Maritime, was launched at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) on Wednesday.The ASD-90 Class tugs designed by Jensen Maritime Consultants are 100’ x 40’ Z-Drive tractor tugs are built to U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter “M” regulatory standards, with ABS loadline certification and UWILD notation.The vessels are equipped with two MTU series 4000 main engines, meeting Tier 4 emission standards, coupled to Kongsberg US255 azimuth thrusters.

04 May 2020

Foss' New Tug Arrives in Long Beach

Jaime Ann is the first in a series of new tugs built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders for the Saltchuk family of companies (Photo: Foss Maritime)

The Jaime Ann, the first of four new ASD-90 tugs constructed by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders for the Saltchuk family of companies, arrived today in her new homeport of Long Beach, in California. Powerful enough to escort the largest tankers and containerships calling on ports in the U.S. West Coast, Jaime Ann will provide tanker escort and assists for Foss Maritime’s customers in the Ports of LA/Long Beach area.Along with her 6866 horsepower and 90ST bollard pull, the Jaime Ann was built to the most stringent emission standards.

30 Mar 2022

Insights: Gavin Higgins, CEO, Everett Ship Repair

Gavin Higgins, CEO, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders and Everett Ship Repair

Everett Ship Repair (ESR) is a relatively new name in the U.S. ship repair business. Established in October 2019, the Pacific Northwest shipyard is owned by Ice Cap Holdings, LLC, which is also the parent company to another shipyard not too far away: Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB).Both ESR and NBBB are headed up by CEO Gavin Higgins, who is responsible for the development of new business opportunities and cultivation of new business relationships, including working with industry groups…

03 Mar 2020

Foss Maritime Christens Tier 4 Tug

Jamie Ann (Photo: Foss Maritime)

Seattle-based Foss Maritime christened the new 90-ton tugboat Jamie Ann on February 29.The first of four new ASD-90 tugs under construction at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, Wash., the newbuild will be followed by sister vessels Sarah Averick, Leisa Florence and Rachael Allen, all scheduled to be delivered this year for service within the Saltchuk Marine family of companies.Jamie Ann’s upgrades include two MTU Tier 4 engines producing 6,866 horsepower which meet the EPA’s highest standards.

25 Oct 2019

ESR Offers Pacific Northwest Ship Repair Services

Photo: ESR

Ice Cap Holdings, LLC expands its shipyard presence to include a service and repair facility in Everett, Washington. Everett Ship Repair, LLC (ESR) was established earlier this month by Ice Cap Holdings, the parent company of Ice Floe, LLC dba Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB). The expansion creates a diverse shipbuilding portfolio between the sister companies, offering NBBB’s new build expertise and ESR’s repair and service capabilities. Everett Ship Repair will focus on vessel repair…

03 Sep 2019

MN100: R.W. Fernstrum & Company

R.W. Fernstrum CEO & President Sean Fernstrum

The 2019 version of the MarineNews MN100 edition - our annual look at the very best individuals and firms in the shallow draft, brown water and workboat sectors - has come and gone. Anchoring that prestigious list, as always, is R.W. Fernstrum & Company. That's no surprise to MarineNews readers.THE COMPANY:R.W. Fernstrum & Company set the standard in marine heat exchangers over 70 years ago, building a reputation focused on innovation. Today, its commitment is to continual improvement, ensuring customers have quality, reliability, and the latest in cooling technologies.

25 Jul 2019

Island Tug Adds New Z-drive ATB

Island Tug and Barge, a subsidiary of Tidewater Canada, said that its  second new articulated tug barge (ATB) push tug Island Regent entered service at the end of June pushing the double hulled refined petroleum products barge, ITB Reliant.The West Coast's largest bulk transporter of refined petroleum products said that the vessel was christened June 20th at Island Tug’s facility in Burrard Inlet and is the second of two, twin Z-drive, ATB push tugs for service on the West Coast of North America.Constructed at Island Tug’s Annacis Island Shipyard in British Columbia and completed by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Washington State…

10 Jul 2019

BMT Signs 43m Ferry Contract for Kitsap

Photo courtesy of BMT

BMT has announced the signing of a contract for two new 43 meter (104’ x 37’’ x 12.5’) high-speed, passenger Fast Ferries for Kitsap Transit, with an option for a third to be added to this vessel fleet. The custom design project will once again see the UK’s leading engineering design consultancy partner with US shipyard Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) and will join the Kitsap Fast Ferry service in Seattle once completed. The bow and side loading vessels will accommodate a maximum of 255 passengers on board with protected storage capacity for 26 bicycles.

Subscribe for
Maritime Reporter E-News

Maritime Reporter E-News is the maritime industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email five times per week