Jamestown Metal Marine Delivers Casino Vessel

Jamestown Metal Marine Sales, Inc. has successfully delivered the completed Blue Chip 2 casino vessel to Blue Chip Casino, at Blue Chip’s Michigan City, Ind., facility. The new vessel, which replaces the former vessel, is approximately 400 feet in length with a beam of 200 feet and provides about 65,000 square feet of gaming area on a single deck. In addition to the gaming area there is another 82,000 square feet of back of house and future gaming areas on other decks. Jamestown began the on-site construction project in the late fall of 2004 with the erection of steel units in the construction basin specially constructed for the project. Over the succeeding fourteen months Jamestown, working with its key subcontractors and suppliers, produced the largest casino vessel ever built in the United States, including hull fabrication and erection, machinery and mechanical installation, electrical installation, interior finishes, and the gaming facilities. Jamestown’s on-site project management staff coordinated all aspects of this fast track project in concert with Blue Chip Casino’s local construction management team. The resulting vessel is unmatched in its unobstructed access having all gaming positions on one level. The vessel is moored to its pavilion offering ground level access from the vessel to Blue Chip’s adjoining hotel and parking facility. On January 28, 2006 the former vessel, Blue Chip, slipped the moorings it had occupied for 7 years and the new Blue Chip 2 was motored into position to adjoin the newly renovated support pavilion. The flowing arches of the high ceilings and the open space uninterrupted by support columns provide a grand view and openness unseen in other casino vessels built to date.

The Blue Chip 2 meets the applicable requirements of the Indiana Gaming Commission, as well as the United States Coast Guard. The design and production engineering for the vessel were developed by Guido Perla and Associates and the interior design was produced by the interior design firm of Andrea Piacentini Design, both of Seattle, Washington. Jamestown’s considerable experience working with both design companies on other projects greatly benefited the project.