Usace Marine Design Center News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Rock Island District held a christening ceremony in Quincy, Ill., on Friday for the latest towing vessel to joins its fleet.The vessel, which has been renamed Quincy, was built in 2008 by Texas shipyard Orange Shipbuilding for $5 million and is being relocated from the Corps' Louisville District.Originally named the Gordon M. Stevens, the vessel was designed and contracted by the USACE's Marine Design Center and served as part of the construction…

Millions of dollars of goods are transported up and down the Mississippi every year. This transportation is made possible, in part, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mat Sinking Unit and its crew, who work tirelessly each season to protect the riverbanks with concrete mats and prevent erosion.The Mat Sinking Unit was built in 1940, widened in 1960 and is being replaced over the next several years with new and improved plant. The new design will double the number of mat squares that can be placed in a season.USACE Vicksburg District (MVK)…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Marine Design Center (MDC) will soon be releasing a sources sought notice for the construction of the Mat Boat, a 188 x 74 x 10-ftl. deck barge, for the Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) located on the Mississippi River. The barge is to be built to American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Rules for Service on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways. The sources sought notice is only for the construction of the barge, shown in Figure B, and not for the final product which incorporates a government furnished robotics package shown in Figure A.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District accepted delivery of a new high-speed foil assisted hydrographic survey vessel, due to be commissioned on May 31, 2018.The all-aluminum catamaran, S/V Ewell, measures 61’-4” length overall with a 24’ beam. The vessel has two levels; the first has survey stations, and a pilot house is on the second level. The vessel has a galley, mess and sleeping accommodations.Designed to conduct hydrographic surveys using sophisticated multibeam and single beam sonars, the new vessel features Norbit Multibeam sonars and single frequency sonars mounted inside a retractable survey pod.Ewell is…

Marine News looks back at the past 12 months and showcases the best of North America’s workboat design shop and shipyard output. In a year where some stakeholders might not rank 2016 as the best of years in the shipyard or on the waterfront, we might disagree. And, there is plenty to write about. New contracts, deliveries and designs all combine to show that the collective workboat waterfront is moving forward, with technology, the environment and replacement tonnage requirements as the main drivers.

The newly built M/V Dan Reeves was commissioned in January of 2016 for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Little Rock District. Built by Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc., Bayou La Batre, Ala., overseen by the USACE Marine Design, the 95-foot-long vessel is designed to comply with proposed USCG Subchapter M Requirements. Power and propulsion is provided by tow Cat C32 WOSR “C” Rated main engines, giving 1,300 HP Each at 1,800-2,100rpm, along with two Thrustmaster TM1500MZ Z-Drives with 5.74:1 Reduction Gear Ratio. Fuel Capacity: 22,800 Gal. Potable Water: 7,500 Gal.

Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. Naval architecture and marine engineering firm Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) informs it was awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for naval architecture and marine engineering services for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Marine Design Center. This is BHGI’s second IDIQ contract with the Marine Design Center located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, relatively close to BHGI’s Rhode Island office. In 2010, BHGI was awarded its first five-year IDIQ contract with the Marine Design Center, during which BHGI and the Marine Design Center team worked on a wide variety of projects both for the USACE, and for other federal agencies, including the United States Coast Guard and NASA.

Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) was awarded a task order for an Alternative Fuel (LNG/CNG) Initiative through its Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Marine Design Center (MDC). BHGI will analyze a subset of the USACE fleet regarding its suitability for conversion to Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) and/or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) power. As part of that effort, sources of LNG or CNG will be investigated so that fuel availability can be considered in a down select process. BHGI was awarded this task order in September 2013 and it is expected to be completed by June 2014. Once the analysis stage is complete, USACE will down select to a single vessel for further investigation.

San Rafael, a 204 x 44 x 16 ft. OSV was recently launched by Eastern Shipbuilding Group. The vessel is being constructed for Naviera Tamaulipas, S.A. de C.V. of Tampico, Mexico, for operations in the Bahia de Campeche fields off Eastern Mexico. Capacities include 110,000 gallons of fuel, 211,000 gallons of drill water/ballast, 7,200 cu. ft. of bulk mud in six tanks, and 3,012 barrels of liquid mud. The propulsion plant consists of a pair of Caterpillar 3516B main engines rated at 2,000 hp each @ 1,600 rpm, complete with Caterpillar Engine Vision Alarm and Monitoring System, coupled to Reintjes WAF-862 gearboxes, with 96 in. diameter, four-blade stainless steel propellers.

The USACE has put 59 ft. inland river towboat Davenport, built by Marine Builders, Utica, Ind., to work on the Upper Mississippi River system. The new steel-hulled vessel was designed by the USACE Marine Design Center, and is equipped with a galley and crew's quarters with accommodations for four. Davenport's primary duties include pushing rock barges and derrick boats, working year-round on the Mississippi River between Lock and Dam 10 and Lock and Dam 22, the Illinois River and connecting tributaries. It will operate out of the USACE's Rock Island District service base at LeClaire, Iowa. Propulsion is provided by two Cat 3406C marine diesels, rated 380 bhp at 1,800 rpm, turning Bird Johnson 48 x 34.6 in. wheels, through Twin Disc MG-516 4:1 gears.

The USACE has put 59 ft. inland river towboat Davenport, built by Marine Builders, Utica, Ind., to work on the Upper Mississippi River system. The new steel-hulled vessel was designed by the USACE Marine Design Center, and is equipped with a galley and crew's quarters with accommodations for four. Davenport's primary duties include pushing rock barges and derrick boats, working year-round on the Mississippi River between Lock and Dam 10 and Lock and Dam 22, the Illinois River and connecting tributaries. It will operate out of the USACE's Rock Island District service base at LeClaire, Iowa. Propulsion is provided by two Cat 3406C marine diesels, rated 380 bhp at 1,800 rpm, turning Bird Johnson 48 x 34.6 in. wheels, through Twin Disc MG-516 4:1 gears.

The USACE received a new tool for dam construction, repair and bank revetment work -59 ft. inland river towboat Davenport. Constructed by Marine Builders, Utica, Ind., the vessel entered service on the Upper Mississippi River system in December. The steel-hulled vessel was designed by the USACE's Marine Design Center, and is equipped with a galley and crew's quarters with accommodations for four. Davenport's duties include pushing rock barges and derrick boats, working year-round on the Mississippi River between Lock and Dam 10 and Lock and Dam 22, the Illinois River and connecting tributaries. With propulsion provided by two CAT 3406C marine diesels rated 380-bhp at 1,800-rpm, which turn Bird Johnson 48 x 34.6-in.

The Marine Design Center (MDC) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is set to provide the dredging modification and repairs to Hurley - a USACE dustpan dredge. Measuring 300 ft. (91.4 m), with a beam of 58 ft. (17.6 m) and a depth of 12 ft. (3.6 m), the vessel's light displacement is 2,100 tons. Comprised of steel and welded construction, the dredge was built in 1992, and is operated by the Memphis District USACE. Hurley's dredging ladder will be extended with intentions of replacing the existing ladder, while the vessel's hull (horn area) will be lengthened to accommodate the new ladder. In order to achieve this upgrade, drydocking will be necessary to facilitate removal and replacement of the dredging ladder.

The Marine Design Center (MDC) of the USACE is set to provide the dredging modification and repairs to Hurley - a USACE dustpan dredge. Measuring 300 ft. with a beam of 58 ft. and a depth of 12 ft., the vessel's light displacement is 2,100 tons. Comprised of steel and welded construction, the dredge was built in 1992, and is operated by the Memphis District USACE. Hurley's dredging ladder will be extended with intentions of replacing the existing ladder, while the vessel's hull (horn area) will be lengthened to accommodate the new ladder. In order to achieve this upgrade, drydocking will be necessary to facilitate removal and replacement of the dredging ladder.

Kvichak Marine has delivered the first of two foil-assist catamarans built for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mobile District. Dubbed S/V Irvington, its primary mission is to conduct hydrographic surveys in support of dredging and channel maintenance operations. The second vessel, which has a summer delivery, will operate in the New York District. The 54 x 20-ft. aluminum catamaran incorporates the Hysucat foil design, a system which is designed to provide the operator with increased fuel efficiency; improved speed and low wake wash. The fully adjustable aft trim foil provides ultimate control for variable loads and sea conditions. "The Irvington is one of the most efficient vessels that Kvichak has ever built," said Scott Weiler, Kvichak's project manager.