James Murray Joins Gulfstream Shipbuilding Management Team
Gulfstream Shipbuilding welcomes James Murray, a second generation boat builder and operator/owner, to the Sales Management Team. James is the son of Jim Murray, who originally opened the shipyard 35 years ago as Freeport Shipbuilding. James built a variety of custom boats at the shipyard before venturing off to start his own successful passenger excursion company. Now, James returns to partner with the current owner Stuart Reeves on a new generation of custom shipbuilding. “James exhibits the same passions and values that his father instilled on this company 35 years ago…
Freeport Launches Charter Yacht
A new commercial charter yacht was delivered in July 2004 to SunQuest Yacht Charters, Shalimar, Fla. serving the Destin-Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. beach resort area with scheduled dinner cruises and special event charters. The 125 by 26-ft. luxury yacht was built by Freeport Shipbuilding Group, Freeport, Fla. The shipyard and SunQuest are both headed by Jim Murray, whose shipyard has been active in Florida for 30 years. Murray, his wife Gail, son James and daughter Colette are managing the vessel. Named Solaris, the charter yacht is a Subchapter T vessel with a capacity for 149 passengers and a crew of 25. DeJong & Lebet, naval architects of Jacksonville, Fla supplied structural, weight and stability drawings and calculations for Solaris.
Ivan Rips Through Oil Patch
Hurricane Damage is Light Companies Report. With reports from AP, MMS and the Times Picayune. Packing 160 mile an hour winds, Hurricane Ivan stayed on a course that took the powerful storm through the heart of oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) before making landfall just east of Mobile, Ala. Initial reports from the Minerals Management Service, which oversees oil and gas production in the Gulf, indicate that damage is relatively light. Five mobile drilling rigs were adrift, but later found. Four fixed platforms had disappeared and presumably sunk and one was leaning. The MMS also reported three pipeline ruptures; one starting a fire that was contained.
Freeport Building For Chicago Company
Jim Murray of Freeport Shipbuilding will be delivering several more of his popular passenger vessels for the coming season. One, Chicago's Little Lady, will be delivered from the Florida yard along the intercoastal waterway and up through the Mississippi and Illinois River systems to Chicago for owners Bob and Holly Agra. Designed by Timothy Graul Marine Design of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., the 68 x 23-ft. steel-hulled vessel is of single-chine form with a plumb stem and round (almost a fantail) stern. She was intended to have a family resemblance to her big sister, 225-passenger Chicago's First Lady, but is an original design in her own right.
