Access Board News

Mississippi shipbuilder VT Halter Marine, Inc. has launched a new ferry, Powhatam, for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).In November 2016, VT Halter Marine was awarded the contract for the design, construction and delivery of the new 499-passenger/70-vehicle ferry that will replace the current vessel, the Virginia, which was built in 1936. The new ferry Powhatam, measuring 270ft x 65ft x 15ft, is capable of holding up to 70 passenger vehicles, or 14 trucks/buses…

The second of two new high-speed catamarans from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding has been delivered to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA).Funded by a grant from the Federal Transit Authority (FTA), M/V Glory will pair with her sister-ship to provide year-round commuter service in Boston Harbor, replacing the high-speed ferries built by the Somerset, Mass. shipyard in 1997.Designed by Incat Crowther, the all-aluminum ferry is 88.7 feet LOA, 28.8 feet abeam, and draws approximately four feet loaded.

Marine News showcases the best of North America’s 2017 workboat deliveries. There is something for everyone. Notwithstanding the lingering offshore energy downturn, there were plenty of bright spots for North American shipyards in 2017. If a hull was delivered in 2017, we took a look at it, with several areas as a focus for inclusion into this edition. For starters, it is always exciting when a domestic yard delivers a vessel – or multiple vessels, for that matter – to foreign buyers. We can compete in a foreign arena; on price, quality and on-time delivery. This year was no different. No less important is the environmental footprint of a vessel, and there was plenty to report on from that angle in the past 12 months. The domestic waterfront is indeed getting greener and cleaner.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has taken delivery of Champion, the first of two new 150-passenger, high-speed catamarans built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. The new vessels – funded by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) – will operate year-round commuter service in Boston Harbor, in addition to two high-speed ferries built by the Somerset, Mass., shipyard in 1997. Designed by Incat Crowther, the all-aluminum ferry is 90 feet LOA, 28.8 feet abeam, and draws approximately four feet loaded.

One thing we can look forward to in the new year and beyond is the implementation and development of more regulations. Through a series of unfortunate events, the marine industry seems to have become a prime target for scrutiny, which may or may not be warranted. The onus of compliance established its momentum with the potential threat of terrorists on the waterways; thus, we received the requirement for T.W.I.C. cards that somehow create a shield of security. In addition to new security measures, we have lately seen stronger environmental regulations for emissions and vessel discharge.

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) will meet in Washington, DC on August 11 to develop accessibility guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for passenger vessels.  The meeting will focus on possible approaches and methodologies for the regulatory assessment and regulatory flexibility analysis, the baselines for determining costs, the identification of major and minor cost impacts, estimated unit costs, development of aggregate annual industry costs, and benefits generated by the guidelines as related to large cruise ships.  A similar meeting will be conducted at a later date to focus on other passenger vessels.  73 Fed. Reg. 38352  (HK Law)

A Review of Recent Developments with the Americans with Disabilities Act's Requirements for U.S. By James P. Nader & Rudolph F. Douglas Spector and Tammy Stevens presumably do not know each other, but they have a lot in common. Approximately five years ago, both Spector and Stevens boarded cruise ships out of major ports in the southern United States. Both Spector and Stevens, who are wheel-chair bound, believed their respective cruise ships discriminated against them as disabled passengers. Both individuals filed suit in federal courts alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Despite the similarities in their lawsuits, these two federal courts reached completely opposite results.

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) will hold two informational meetings to assist the board in developing accessibility guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for passenger vessels. The meeting will focus on providing accessible embarkation and disembarkation for persons with disabilities on and off certain U.S. and foreign passenger vessels. The meetings will be held in New Orleans on August 20 and in Seattle on September 9, 2003. (Source: Haight Gardner Holland & Knight)

The Passenger Vessels Ad Hoc Committee of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (otherwise known as the Access Board) will meet in closed session in Washington, DC on March 11, 2003. The Committee is considering access standards for commercial passenger vessels. Source: HK Law