Wind Energy Workboats: A US Offshore Build-up
Block Island — U.S.-based Deepwater Wind’s five-turbine, 30-megawatt wind park — was the first. It showed what was possible, what might not have been optimal and how long it all takes. Since then, incentives for onshore-wind have been curbed, while a tax credit for offshore wind has been extended. Wind parks are in the works. States have power companies buying offshore wind energy, and experienced offshore operators are hiring the new wind-service vessels from elements of their oil-and-gas supply chain. The Jones Act, too, is being overcome by fleet owners and designers joining the U.S.
3D Scanning Speeds Up Drag Boat Racing
NVision, Inc., a company in 3D laser scanning and reverse engineering for over 24 years, said it was able to help a motorsports boat designer optimize the design of the custom-built propellers created for its Top Fuel Hydro drag boat. The boat is equipped with two custom-designed and handmade propellers. The double-bladed propellers worked well but the boat maker felt their design could be improved further to produce even greater speed and power. In order to achieve this goal…
Moose Awarded U.S. DOT Contract
Aluminum boat maker Moose Boats won a contract from the Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration (MARAD), for the construction of two Moose 340C Catamaran Patrol Boats. These patrol boats will be assigned to the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet located in Benicia, Calif. The Suisun Bay Fleet consists of dry cargo ships, tankers, military auxiliaries and other types of reserve ships in the custody of the Maritime Administration. The Moose 340C is a 37.5 ft., all-aluminum Jet Powered Catamaran with twin Cummins 380 hp turbo diesels and is propelled by Hamilton 292 water jets. This vessel can attain a top speed of over 34 knots, cruise at almost 30 knots, come to a full-speed stop in less than two boat lengths, according to the manufacturer. Its 21-in.
