Eastern Shipbuilding has been contracted to build a 96 x 40-ft. aluminum catamaran research vessel for the Rosensteil School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami. The design for the new boat was by Tim Graul Marine Designs of Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin. DeJong and LeBay are working with the yard on engineering details. Propulsion will be provided by a pair of 19-liter six-cylinder Cummins QSK19 main engines each generating 760 hp @ 2100 rpm. The drive system, from the main engines aft, is supplied by Servogear AS of Norway. The Servogear model HD220H has a ratio of 2.609:1 and turns an 1,100-mm controllable pitch propeller. Steering by Jastram and two Wesmar bowthrusters are integrated with the Servogears to operate with a Simrad Dynamic Positioning system.
