Within a busy 18 day period, Austal USA have launched their first two vessels, Anapaula and Veronica from the new, high-tech facility in Mobile, Ala. The 120 man workforce watched with pride as on December 2 and then December 20 each of the vessels made its way onto the launch barge supplied by part owner, Bender Shipbuilding and then on to a dry-dock for floating off.
The Austal USA team who have produced these two vessels in just 8 months in the large construction hall on the edge of the Mobile river.
These vessels are also the first of a new range of crew boats designed by Austal Ships of Australia which vary in length from 135ft. up to 170ft.
While alongside, these vessels will be commissioned followed by sea trials which are already underway for Anapaula, the first to be launched. Handover to Otto Candies LLC will take place during January 2002.