Construction is progressing for the new Subchapter “K” passenger ferry vessels, M/V Isleño at
Blount Boats, Inc. (BBI), Warren RI and M/V Caribeña at
VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VTHMI), Pascagoula, MS. Bristol Harbor Marine Design (BHMD) is serving as a liaison for the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA), providing construction oversight for the vessels servicing the Fajardo-Vieques-Culebra Ferry Line.
On July 15th, 2003, BBI signed a contract with the PRPA to construct a 155-ft. cargo/passenger ferry similar to a previous design by the yard. The construction of this vessel will be similar to the M/V
Cayo Norte, built by Blount Marine in 1995. Four (4) MTU DD12V2000 engines coupled to 2.9:1 Twin Disc 5202 gears will provide 3220 BHP. Two (2) 40kw Northern Lights generators will supply ships service power. The vessel will be equipped with four (4) bronze Rolls Royce 48” fixed pitch 4-blade propellers. Although the original plans were intended to build to U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Subchapter “T” regulations, they have been modified by BBI to meet Subchapter “K” regulations for cargo/ferry service. The vessel is scheduled for delivery March 2004.
On May 12, 2003, VTHMI, a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems Inc., signed a contract with the PRPA to design and build a 95-foot all-aluminum passenger ferry. The vessel will be built to USCG Subchapter “K” regulations for ferry service and is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2004. Two (2) MTU DD12V2000 engines coupled to 2.5:1 Twin Disc Nico MGNV272E gears will provide 1930 BHP. Two (2) 30kw generators will supply ships service power. The vessel will be equipped with two (2) NiBrAl 42” fixed pitch 4-blade propellers.