ESG Launches NYCDOT Ferry

On Friday, November 15, 2019, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) launched the SSG MICHAEL H. OLLIS (Hull 219) the first of three new Staten Island “Ollis Class” Ferries for the City of New York Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) Staten Island Ferry Division. 

The launch took place at Eastern’s Allanton facility in Panama City, Fla. with special attendance by Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis.

The new Staten Island Ollis Class Ferries series are named after fallen soldier of the US Army 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, 'Climb to Glory', Army Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis, a Staten Island native killed in Afghanistan on August 28, 2013 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. The first of the series, Hull 219, is named in his honor. Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis, of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), stepped into the path of a Polish officer, blocking him from the suicide vest of an insurgent who had raided Forward Operating Base Ghazni. Ollis has received several honors posthumously including: Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, The Audie Murphy Medallion, Polish Gold Star Medal of Honor, and the Afghanistan Star from Poland for his valor. He was 24 years old.

Friday’s launch was also held in honor of long-time employee, Kenny Winpigler, who retired in October 5, 2018 after 33 years with Eastern. Kenny started his career with Eastern in 1985, holding various positions including: Shipfitter, Foreman, Production Controller, Estimating, Project Manager for 34 completed vessels, and most recently Senior Project Manager overseeing the SSG MICHAEL H. OLLIS construction. Kenny is a beloved member of the Eastern family, a friend to everyone he worked with and as a project manager highly respected by the clients served. Joey D’Isernia commented, “Everyone at Eastern Shipbuilding and throughout the Marine Industries, knows Kenny as a capable professional and dedicated shipbuilder. Through his calm and even keeled approach to project management, he fostered long lasting relationships with all those who’ve had the pleasure working with him. The amazing is thing that there are many ESG employees here today that consider Kenny as a significant influence in their life and as a mentor. What a lasting legacy to have built.”

The three Ollis Class double-ended 4500 passenger ferries, are from a design provided by Elliott Bay Design Group, with each ferry featuring four BS Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) 12-710 @ 900 rpm EPA Tier 4  marine propulsion engines with two engines powering one ABS Reintjes DUP 3000 P combining gear and one ABS 36 RV6 ECS/285-2 Voith Schneider Propeller at each end of the vessel. Power generation is provided by three ABS, EPA Tier 3 marine continuous duty diesel generator sets, Caterpillar C18 driving 480 V, 60 Hz, three-phase generators rated at 425 kW at 0.8 P.F. @ 1800 rpm.

The three Ollis Class Ferries features the following characteristics:

ESG Hull #/Name:H219 - SSG MICHAEL H. OLLIS
H220 - SANDY GROUND
H221 - TBD
Length Overall 320'
Length on Design Load Waterline 308.4'
Beam, Molded 70'

Beam over Guards  70.4'
Depth at Main Deck at Side 21.5'
Design Draft 13’
Installed Horsepower 9,980 HP
Fuel Oil Capacity (95%, approximate) 30,000 gal
Minimum Seating Capacity 2,551
Maximum Passenger Capacity 4,500
Crew 16
Regulatory ABS A1, Ferry Service, River Service, AMS Notation. USCG Subchapter H Passenger Vessel