Marine Design Center News

Not every vessel in the U.S. Navy is built for major combat operations on the high seas. There are large numbers of boats and service craft that provide essential services to the sea services, the nation and its partners.The U.S. Navy procures about 100 small boats per year. Some of these boats are based on commercial designs, procured to a Navy developed specification that tailors the requirements to the end user needs. They are procured and managed by two Naval Sea Systems Command program offices—PMS 300 and PMS 325.Compared to warships and auxiliaries…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, on Monday held a christening ceremony for the Derrickboat Kolber. This new derrickboat is 160 feet long, has a beam of 60 feet and a depth of 12 feet. The large crane is a SeaTrax series 60 Model S9302. Its design and construction were contracted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Marine Design Center. The barge was designed by TAI Engineers of New Orleans, and constructed by Metal Trades, Inc., of Hollywood, S.C.The Kolber’s…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District in concert with the Philadelphia District and the Marine Design Center awarded a 11.4 million contract to Southwest Shipyard in Houston for a new crane barge on the St. Marys River.“The new crane barge will perform critical lock and hydropower facility maintenance at the Soo Project Office (Soo Locks),” said Justin Proulx, Chief of the St. Marys River Section. “Additionally, the new vessel will support channel maintenance and will be ready to respond to critical maritime incidents on the St Marys River…

Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) won an Indefinite Delivery Contract (IDC) for naval architecture and marine engineering services for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Philadelphia District, Marine Design Center. This contract continues BHGI’s partnership with the Marine Design Center (MDC). Some of the projects BHGI has worked on for the USACE include, but are not limited to, retrofits, finite element analyses, electric load analyses, vibration analyses, computational fluid dynamics analyses, as well as barge, towboat and dredge design.In partnership since 2010, BHGI and the MDC team have worked on a wide variety of projects both for the USACE and other federal agencies, including the United States Coast Guard, NASA, and the National Park Service.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a contract opportunity on January 25 starting the process to acquire a new Medium Class Hopper Dredge (MCHD) to replace the current dredge McFarland. The new MCHD will be part of the USACE minimum fleet and operate for the Philadelphia District. The January 25 notice is a draft solicitation published to seek industry comments which will inform the Corps’ development of a subsequent “formal solicitation,” likely to be released on or about April 1. In its notice, the Corps emphasizes that the draft is not an invitation for bid.

A new utility/passenger vessel has been delivered and will soon go to work for the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) to serve Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.The all-steel newbuild, designed by New Orleans-based TAI Engineers, LLC, has been named Annie Moore after the first immigrant, a 15-year-old Irish girl, who signed the Ellis Island register."TAI has designed and built many boats and ships, but this project is particularly special to me," said Anil Raj, President of TAI. "My very first arrival to the United States was via New York in 1969.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Rock Island District held a christening ceremony in Quincy, Ill., on Friday for the latest towing vessel to joins its fleet.The vessel, which has been renamed Quincy, was built in 2008 by Texas shipyard Orange Shipbuilding for $5 million and is being relocated from the Corps' Louisville District.Originally named the Gordon M. Stevens, the vessel was designed and contracted by the USACE's Marine Design Center and served as part of the construction…

Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) was recently awarded an Indefinite Delivery Contract (IDC) for naval architecture and marine engineering services for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Philadelphia District, Marine Design Center. This contract continues BHGI’s partnership with the Marine Design Center (MDC). Some of the projects BHGI has worked on for the USACE include, but are not limited to, retrofits, finite element analyses, electric load analyses, vibration analyses and computational fluid dynamics analyses as well as barge, towboat and dredge design.In partnership with MDC since 2010, BHGI and the MDC team worked on a wide variety of projects both for the USACE and other federal agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and NASA.

DSC Dredge, LLC wins bid for a new, non-propelled, cutter suction head dredge solicited by The Marine Design Center (MDC) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) earlier this month. When completed, the new cutter suction head dredge will operate out of Astara, Azerbaijan to not only maintain the harbor depth and harbor entrance but the US Government is purchasing this dredge for the country of Azerbaijan as a part of Azerbaijan’s support of the US in anti-terrorism efforts.

Millions of dollars of goods are transported up and down the Mississippi every year. This transportation is made possible, in part, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mat Sinking Unit and its crew, who work tirelessly each season to protect the riverbanks with concrete mats and prevent erosion.The Mat Sinking Unit was built in 1940, widened in 1960 and is being replaced over the next several years with new and improved plant. The new design will double the number of mat squares that can be placed in a season.USACE Vicksburg District (MVK)…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Marine Design Center (MDC) will soon be releasing a sources sought notice for the construction of the Mat Boat, a 188 x 74 x 10-ftl. deck barge, for the Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) located on the Mississippi River. The barge is to be built to American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Rules for Service on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways. The sources sought notice is only for the construction of the barge, shown in Figure B, and not for the final product which incorporates a government furnished robotics package shown in Figure A.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District accepted delivery of a new high-speed foil assisted hydrographic survey vessel, due to be commissioned on May 31, 2018.The all-aluminum catamaran, S/V Ewell, measures 61’-4” length overall with a 24’ beam. The vessel has two levels; the first has survey stations, and a pilot house is on the second level. The vessel has a galley, mess and sleeping accommodations.Designed to conduct hydrographic surveys using sophisticated multibeam and single beam sonars, the new vessel features Norbit Multibeam sonars and single frequency sonars mounted inside a retractable survey pod.Ewell is…

Marine News looks back at the past 12 months and showcases the best of North America’s workboat design shop and shipyard output. In a year where some stakeholders might not rank 2016 as the best of years in the shipyard or on the waterfront, we might disagree. And, there is plenty to write about. New contracts, deliveries and designs all combine to show that the collective workboat waterfront is moving forward, with technology, the environment and replacement tonnage requirements as the main drivers.

The newly built M/V Dan Reeves was commissioned in January of 2016 for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Little Rock District. Built by Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc., Bayou La Batre, Ala., overseen by the USACE Marine Design, the 95-foot-long vessel is designed to comply with proposed USCG Subchapter M Requirements. Power and propulsion is provided by tow Cat C32 WOSR “C” Rated main engines, giving 1,300 HP Each at 1,800-2,100rpm, along with two Thrustmaster TM1500MZ Z-Drives with 5.74:1 Reduction Gear Ratio. Fuel Capacity: 22,800 Gal. Potable Water: 7,500 Gal.

Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. Naval architecture and marine engineering firm Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) informs it was awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for naval architecture and marine engineering services for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Marine Design Center. This is BHGI’s second IDIQ contract with the Marine Design Center located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, relatively close to BHGI’s Rhode Island office. In 2010, BHGI was awarded its first five-year IDIQ contract with the Marine Design Center, during which BHGI and the Marine Design Center team worked on a wide variety of projects both for the USACE, and for other federal agencies, including the United States Coast Guard and NASA.

Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) was awarded a task order for an Alternative Fuel (LNG/CNG) Initiative through its Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Marine Design Center (MDC). BHGI will analyze a subset of the USACE fleet regarding its suitability for conversion to Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) and/or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) power. As part of that effort, sources of LNG or CNG will be investigated so that fuel availability can be considered in a down select process. BHGI was awarded this task order in September 2013 and it is expected to be completed by June 2014. Once the analysis stage is complete, USACE will down select to a single vessel for further investigation.

The Corps of Engineers Memphis District Ensley Engineer Yard (EEY), in partnership with the Corps of Engineers Marine Design Center (MDC) in Philadelphia, Pa., completed the lengthening of the Dredge Hurley by 48-feet. The project increased the dredge’s length from 305 to 353 feet, making it one of the largest vessels on the river and increased the dredge’s dredging depth from 40 to a maximum of 75 feet. This project will enable the Corps’ newest dustpan dredge to be better serve…

By Ed Voigt, U.S. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oldest dredge is now also one of its youngest. The dustpan dredge Potter, the Corps last and longest-serving steam-powered dredge, helped keep the Mississippi River open to navigation for almost 70 years. Now she is back home at the St. Louis District Service Base after a $20 million repowering project by the district and the Corps' Marine Design Center (MDC). Halter Marine, Inc., of Gulfport, Miss, was the contractor. She departed Halter's New Orleans shipyard Sept. 29 with the same overall profile (minus smokestacks) and capabilities, but with an all-new stern and a diesel-electric power plant. Named for Brig. Gen.

The Marine Design Center (MDC) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) plans to obtain an inland river style towboat for the purpose of serving the USACE St. Louis District (CELMS) in its next mission. With measurements of 51 x 19 ft., and a design draft of 5.3 ft. the towboat will have an approximate total of 880 hp. The vessel will be used to provide towing and tender service to other district plants and will be suitable for year-round operation in both shallow, and ice and drift-strewn rivers of the Mississippi Navigation System. Designed, built and classed to ABS rules for Steel Vessels on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways, the vessel will be a twin-screw open propeller diesel with an all-welded steel hull and superstructure.

San Rafael, a 204 x 44 x 16 ft. OSV was recently launched by Eastern Shipbuilding Group. The vessel is being constructed for Naviera Tamaulipas, S.A. de C.V. of Tampico, Mexico, for operations in the Bahia de Campeche fields off Eastern Mexico. Capacities include 110,000 gallons of fuel, 211,000 gallons of drill water/ballast, 7,200 cu. ft. of bulk mud in six tanks, and 3,012 barrels of liquid mud. The propulsion plant consists of a pair of Caterpillar 3516B main engines rated at 2,000 hp each @ 1,600 rpm, complete with Caterpillar Engine Vision Alarm and Monitoring System, coupled to Reintjes WAF-862 gearboxes, with 96 in. diameter, four-blade stainless steel propellers.

Nichols Brothers Boatbuilders are building a highspeed catamaran ferry for San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation district. Designed by International Catamaran Designs (INCAT) of Sydney Australia, this will be Nichols Brothers 27th U.S. built highspeed catamaran. The vessel will be 139 ft. overall with a 34-ft. beam and draft of 9 ft. The individual hulls will have a beam of 9 ft.. A 37-knot speed is predicted with four 16-cylinder Cummins KTA50-M2 main engines delivering 1,600 hp each at 1800 rpm. Each IMO emission certified engine will drive a Hamilton model 571 water jet through a ZF Marine BU 460D marine gear. Electrical service will be provided by a 125 kW generator set powered by a Cummins Marine 6CT8.3DM engine.

The Marine Design Center, (MDC), of the U.S. Army Corps of engineers (USACE) intends to acquire three newly constructed steel deck cargo barges to serve the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, (CEMVN), in support of its mission. The barges will be of all-welded steel constructed, and will be designed, built and classes to American Bureau of Shipping rules. The dimensions of the barges are 120 ft. in length, 30 ft. in width and seven feet in depth. They will be raked at both ends and have flat decks with no sheer. The decks will be designed to support a 2000 PSF loading with a hearty .75-in thick plate to assure a long service life. This contract will use a multi-phased contracting methodology. Liquidation Damages are included in the contract and bonding is required.

SeaArk Marine inc. of Monticello, Ark., is a company ideally positioned to benefit from the influx of patrol boat orders expected in the wake of tightening waterway security. The company is well-regarded for quality of construction and support, and has been the beneficiary of some large deals for new boats. Founded in 1959 as MonArk Boat Co., SeaArk Marine, Inc. has a long and varied history in the aluminum boat building industry. The company got its start when Zach McClendon started building riveted, aluminum flat bottom Jon boats. After a few years and several additions to the product line, the company started selling riveted and all-welded boats to entities such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Law Enforcement Agencies, and Fish and Wildlife Departments.