New York’s Circle Line Sightseeing has the first of three new steel mono-hulled sightseeing boats under construction at Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding of Somerset, Massachusetts. The first of the 165 x 36-ft. vessels will be delivered in April 2008 with the second to follow in August and the final boat in March 2009.
A pair of Cummins KTA38M1 main engines developing 1100 hp at 1800 RPM will power the first vessel. The engines will be linked to ZF W3350 gears with 4.497:1 ratios. A pair of Cummins 6CTA powered generators will provide electrical power for each vessel including the 140 hp electric Wesmar dual prop bow thrusters.
Designed by Dejong and Lebet, Inc. The Sightseeing/Tour vessels will have a classic profile with a 22.5-ft. airdraft and be capable navigating under the low Harlem River Bridges. They will accommodate up to 600 passengers each.
Fully loaded they will draw eight feet of water on their 12-ft. molded depth. It is expected that the new vessels will allow the owners to retire some of their older boats. As has been the practice, the new boats will depart from the Pier 83, 42nd St, on two and three hour tours around the Island of Manhattan.