Bird Johnson News

Ulstein, now a century old, has spent the last 100 years looking to the future. Since its formation on August 9, 1917 in Ulsteinvik, Norway, the family-owned shipbuilder, designer and systems supplier said it has focused on tomorrow’s opportunities today. Over the years, Ulstein has evolved through innovation and pioneered trailblazing solutions, driven by its desire to meet shifting customer demands, commercial openings and market challenges head-on. There isn’t much that remains the same in a century of operation…

The latest Cummins-powered Offshore Service Vessel (OSV) delivery from Houma, Louisiana-based New Generation Shipbuilding is representative of the 'New Generation' in supply vessel design. According to Cummins Hotips, the distinctive bow and fo'csle profile on the 171 by 36-foot Mr. Ernie is reminiscent of some of the progressive International designs. This can be attributed to additional super structure design work by the Lafayette, La. based office of Incat-Crowther although the design and engineering support team also included Parfait Maritime…

In the notoriously cyclical and fickle marine business, it is not surprising that occasionally an owner winds up with unfinished hulls and has to move them to another shipyard for completion. A recent example of this is a contract for five utility boats and one 145-ft. supply boat for use in the Gulf of Mexico. But as they say one man's nightmare is another man's dream. All of the boats had finished hulls, so they could be towed to another shipyard for completion without expensive ground transportation. The owner also had some machinery and parts that he furnished and that was also sent with the hulls in the last quarter of 2002. At about the same time, shipyard management pro Bill Hidalgo, Sr.

On April 21, 2004 the U.S. Coast Guard will officially accept the Coast Guard Cutter SEQUOIA. The cutter was launched into the Menominee River at Marinette Marine Corporation on August 23, 2003 and has since been undergoing outfitting and sea trials. This date marks the first day the ship's crew will take responsibility for the cutter and the cutter will be placed into a temporary “In-Commission Special” status. The cutter's official commissioning will take place at her homeport of Apra Harbor, Guam. Coast Guard Cutter SEQUOIA is the fifteenth Juniper Class Seagoing Buoy Tender and the tenth “B Class” cutter built by Marinette Marine Corporation. Currently the Coast Guard has contracted for eleven “B Class” cutters.

Plagued by delays and a project management team shake-up, the LPD 17 program has "turned the corner" said Philip Dur, president of Northrop Grumman Corp. Ship Systems, when speaking earlier this week at a Washington, D.C. conference on raising FY '03 Navy procurement funding. This would seem to be the case, as the company announced that it achieved an integral milestone in the construction of San Antonio, when it completed early landing of all four main propulsion engines and three of five power generators on their foundations. In addition, 55 of the 210 units have been erected on San Antonio, the lead ship in the Navy's new LPD 17 Class of amphibious transport dock ships. The ship is scheduled for delivery in November 2004.

The largest passenger catamaran to be completed by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders - at 144 ft. in length and with a 450-passenger capacity - was delivered to Catalina Cruises. The four-engine, 36 knot vessel is planned for service between Long Beach, Calif. and Catalina Island. Catalina Jet employs four Caterpillar 3512B, electronically controlled, 1,950-hp diesel engines to power MJP J550 DD waterjets supplied by Ulstein Bird Johnson. Power is transmitted through unique ZF gearboxes with diagonal offset, 1.42:1 ratio reduction gears. An active ride control system was supplied by Maritime Dynamics, to smooth out the passage on the Catalina Channel. The system includes trim tabs and "T-foils" beneath the twin hulls to counteract the pitch and roll motions induced by the sea surface.

Consolidation in the maritime industry is not something new. In the past five years, oil majors such as Exxon and Mobil, and BP, Amoco and Arco have all consolidated. Shipyards haven't been immune to mergers, either; as Halter was purchased by Friede Goldman; and Litton Ingalls consolidated with Avondale. But, when equipment manufacturers begin to consolidate, the effects aren't quite as obvious. In the past five years, Caterpillar acquired MaK and, more recently, Sabre. And Rolls-Royce has joined the buying frenzy with such zeal and aggression, it's almost easier to list companies not owned by the propulsion giant. Part of the ambiguity of the merger between equipment manufacturers is, typically, the existing product line is still maintained; just owned and distributed by the new company.

Bollinger Marine Fabricators on Lytal Ashley - an oilfield supply vessel (OSV) for Lytal Ocean. In addition, a contract has already been formalized for a nearly identical sistership Lytal Andre, which is scheduled for delivery in April 2001. Both vessels will measure 146 ft. (44.5 m), each with a 36-ft. (10.9 m) beam and a depth of 11 ft. (3.3 m) Normal operating draft will be 10 ft. (3 m) and speed is expected to be 12.5 knots. Bollinger's engineering department designed the vessels to meet and exceed new regulatory requirements, which is less than 100-gt and less than 500-gt registered tonnage. Two Detroit Diesel engines developing a total of 1,400-bhp will power each OSV. They will drive 70-in. diameter by 67-in. pitch, four-blade Bird Johnson propellers through Twin Disc gears.

Thoma-Sea Boatbuilders Inc., Houma, La., launched the first of two new 150-ft. offshore supply vessels (OSVs) it is building for Massie Towing of Houma. The vessels were designed by Frank Basil of Intech & Associates, also of Houma. The first vessel, M1, entered service in mid-June, and the second vessel is scheduled to launch in December 2000. Massie will operate both vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. Propulsion power for the two new OSVs comes from twin Cat 3508EUI marine engines, each rated 905 bhp (675 bkW) at 1,600 rpm. The electronic unit injected 3508s drive Bird Johnson 72 x 59 in. propellers through Twin Disc 5:1 gears, providing a service speed of 14 knots.

Ingram Barge Lines operates one of the largest towboat fleets on the U.S. inland waters, with 70 towboats ranging from 600 to 9,200 hp and over 1,800 barges. The company operates on the Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee, Kanawha, Illinois and the Monongahela Rivers as well as the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Under the direction of David O'Neill, Assistant Vice-President of operations based in Paducah Kentucky, the firm is undertaking a repower and engine standardization program in the 16 vessels of their Ingram Support Services division. These boats, in the 600 to 1,800 hp range, are employed primarily in demanding short haul and fleeting operations. Currently powered with four different makes of engines, the company is working to standardize to Cummins marine engines.

Blount Barker Shipbuilding signed a contract with South Ferry of Shelter Island, N.Y. to build a 101-ft. double-ended ferryboat. The vessel designed by South Ferry and Dejong & Lebet, Inc. is being built to service the half-mile crossing of partially protected inland waters between Shelter Island and the South Fork of Long Island. The 101' x 39’ x 10’-5” ferryboat designed with one open deck and one side island for crew and passengers will be built to USCG Sub Chapter ‘T’ Rules and Regulations for 149 passengers. The ferryboat is scheduled for delivery in June 2002. The all-welded steel ferry to operate on protected inland waters will be powered by two 400hp Detroit Diesel Series, Six Cylinder DDEC Main Propulsion Engines with Twin Disc MG-516 gears (4.5:1).

Commercial diver John Template likes to have boats built and he doesn’t much mind whether he operates them or sells them. This May he will take delivery of the second of a two-boat order from A&B Industries. The sister ships were built as 120- x 32-ft. with a molded depth of 12 ft. They are USCG inspected class “L” with ABS Loadline only under 100 gt. Designed for versatility in serving a variety of functions in support of the oil industry, the boats have 76- x 24-ft. clear aft decks capable of handling 126 tons of deck cargo. Tankage, including 50,000 gallons of fuel and 12,940 gallons of potable water, equips the boats for conventional off shore supply vessel support to drilling and production rigs Water ballast tanks have a capacity of 18…

All of the growth markets in the commercial marine marketplace have something to do with petroleum. Supply and crew/supply boats directly support drilling activity and Articulated Tug Barges (ATB) distributes crude, refined or an oil byproduct to refiners or distributors. The ATB represents a big advance in transporting these oil products over a pushboat pushing a tow of petroleum barges. Typically an ATB is one large barge with capacity from 80,000 to 160,000 barrels being pushed by a tug that fits into a notch in the barge. An advanced coupling system permits easy coupling and uncoupling of the two units. With typical barge and pushboat units, the coupling system uses winches and wire ropes to lash the barges together and also secure the barge tow to the pushboat.

General Dynamics Electric Boat will christen the Virginia (SSN-774), the U.S. Navy's newest and most advanced nuclear attack submarine, at a ceremony at its shipyard here Saturday, Aug. 16, at 11 a.m. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD). Ship sponsor is Lynda Johnson Robb, daughter of former President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson, and the wife of former U.S. Sen. Charles S. Robb (D- Va.) The event's principal speaker is U.S. Sen. George Allen (R- Va.). Capt. David J. Kern, a 1981 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, is the ship's commanding officer. The Virginia is the first U.S. submarine designed to satisfy the requirements of regional and near-land missions in the post-Cold War era.

C.R. Harbour Towing and Transportation LLC recently completed the repowering and refurbishement of 95-ft. tug Brandon C. Roehrig. The tug's original Cat D-398s were removed, and a pair of 3,300 hp Cat 3512Bs were installed, coupled to a pair of Haley DRV-1711 6:1 hydraulic reduction gears. Also fitted were a set of Bird Johnson 96 in. five-bladed New Generation work wheels. An articulating upper house pilothouse, with a 44 ft. height of eye, was added. The house folds down to give the tug an air draft of 34 in., thus allowing the tug to clear most of the lift bridges in the port of New York. A refurbished Markey tow winch, carrying 1,850 ft. of 1.75 in. wire, replaced a smaller Smatco winch. Other work included the remodeling of the living quarters, galley and pilothouse.

The North American high speed ferry market has been slow to develop compared with other areas such as Australia, Europe and the Far East. However, recent developments show the U.S. market is gathering momentum - not only in respect of the number of orders, but also with regard to the speed and sophistication of the ferry designs. This trend was emphasized when, in September 1997, one of the world's largest high speed ferry operators, Buquebus, placed a contract with Derecktor Shipyards in Mamaroneck, N.Y. for a high specification, 300 passenger ferry with a maximum speed of more than 50 knots. The specification for the ferry required a maximum contract speed of over 50 knots and a high level of seakeeping and passenger comfort.

Westport Shipyard delivered the 95 x 22.7 ft. fiberglass excursion boat, Tanaina, to Prince William Sound Cruises & Tours (PWSCT). The boat will be based in Whittier, Alaska, to join other firms providing excursion services on Prince William Sound. Tanaina, an Alaskan word meaning, "the people," was constructed using Westport's 8500 series adjustable hull form, featuring modified propeller tunnels. The new 28-knot vessel is powered by Caterpillar 3512B engines delivering 1,960 hp at 1,835 rpm. Engines deliver power through ZF BW460 2.529:1 marine gears. The Bird-Johnson 488 x 59 five-bladed Nibral propellers have an 18-degree skew and .89 DAR. Twin Disc power Commander engine controls are installed in the wheelhouse and wing stations.

Nichols Brothers, based in Whidbey Island, Wash., recently delivered a 144 ft., 450-capacity passenger catamaran for Catalina Cruises, dubbed Catalina Jet. The vessel, which is the largest passenger catamaran to be constructed by Nichols, will run between Long Beach and Catalina Island at a speed of 36 knots.Employing four Caterpillar electronically controlled 1,950-hp diesel engines, to power Ulstein Bird Johnson waterjets, Catalina Jet is constructed with an active ride control system for comfortable sailing along the Catalina Channel. The system, supplied by Maritime Dynamics is comprised of trim tabs and T-foils beneath the twin…

Vickers PLC has recently made a major commitment to the marine market, most recently with its acquisition of Norwegian propulsion company Ulstein Holding for $476.8 million. Maritime Week contacted Vickers PLC CEO, Baron Paul Buysse for his take on this venture, as well as his inside strategies and goals for the future of the new company. MW: Why the heavy investment in marine at this point in time? Where do you see growth opportunities in short-term? Long-term? PB: After the divestment of Rolls Royce and Cosworth, Vickers plc was left with three strong engineering divisions: Defense, Turbine Components and Marine. In the Marine division we have very strong brand names such as Kamewa, Rauma, Aquamaster, Brown Brothers and Michell Bearings.

Klondike Express, a double-hulled passenger catamaran, was delivered to Brad and Helen Phillips by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders. The vessel has a full load speed of 36 knots and carries 400 passengers on Phillips Cruises & Tours' "26 Galcier" sightseeing trip on Prince William Sound, out of Whittier, Alaska. The vessel was designed by International Catamaran Designs, Pty., Ltd., Sydney, Austrailia. It measures 132.7 ft. in length and 34 ft. in beam, with a 5.5 ft. draft. It will carry 4,000 gal. of fuel oil and 400 gal. of fresh water. Pacific Detroit-Diesel-Allison of Seattle supplied the 16V-4000 marine engines rated at 3,110 hp @ 2,000 rpm. Engines drive MJP 650 waterjets from Ulstein-Bird-Johnson through ZF Marine BU755-1 non-reversing 1.821:1 reduction gears.

RINCON Marine, Inc., has taken delivery of its newest addition, anchor handling tug Santa Cruz. The 190 x 44 x 16 ft. vessel is the first of two vessels of this design being built at Eastern Shipbuilding Group, incorporating the anchor handling equipment necessary for servicing the oil rigs in Santa Barbara Channel. A traditional supply boat layout has been followed, with capacities including 70,000 gal. diesel fuel, 223,395 gal. ballast water, 7,200 cu.ft. dry bulk mud in six 1,200 cu.ft. tanks, 2,016 barrels grade E liquid mud, and 8.650 gal. or potable water. Santa Cruz has a conventional propulsion arrangement. Main engines fitted are Caterpillar Model 3516B rated at 2,200 bhp @ 1,600 rpm, coupled to Reintjes Model WAF872 gearboxes with a ratio of 6.4:1.

Largely complementary operations, a strong base in terms of volume and technologies, plus considerable synergy potential, provided a solid platform for the coupling of the marine equipment and design activities of Norway's Ulstein group and the British-owned, specialized engineering force Vickers. At a stroke, the combined strengths represented in Vickers Ulstein Marine Systems made the new entity the leader in specific market segments. However, its wide-ranging capabilities provide the requisite resources to increase penetration in existing areas of engagement and break into new markets. Just as the organization has quickly acted on its considerably widened package supply potential…

Fort Bragg, built by Washburn & Doughty for Cape Fear Towing Company of Wilmington, N.C., will be primarily used for docking shops and coastal towing. Fort Bragg was designed by Washburn & Doughty's naval architect and vice-president, Bruce Washburn, and built to ABS and USCG standards, but not classed. The vessel is powered by two Caterpillar 3516 electronic main engines rated at 2,200 hp at 1,600 rpm. These engines power two Ulstein model 1650H Z-drives, with a combined capacity to produce 54 tons of bollard pull. The Z-drives are outfitted with 90 in. Bird Johnson stainless steel propellers, kort nozzles with stainless steel liners and hydraulic steering controls. The vessel features a NETEC 30 in. electric capstan on the aft deck and a NETEC hydraulic escort winch on the fore deck.