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Bollinger Incat Usa News

22 Oct 2001

Joint Venture is Commissioned into U.S. Military Service

The commissioning of the Incat-built 96 metre (315ft) Wave Piercing Sealift Catamaran contracted to the United States military for a deployment of two years, has taken place at Norfolk, Va. The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy have joined a consortium led by the U.S. Army to operate Joint Venture HSV-X1 (High Speed Vessel – Experimental One). The craft will serve to enhance mission capability in a broad range of scenarios and this is expected to lead to the acquisition of more tonnage in the future. According to Incat Chairman Robert Clifford, Joint Venture will play a significant role with each of the five Military arms involved in the project.

14 Aug 2003

Joint Venture Returns from the Gulf

returning from the Persian Gulf in service with U.S. defense forces. evening of September 11, 2001 (AEST) the towers of the World Trade Center fell in New York. exercises and experiments but quite quickly went into service in the War against Terrorism. Freedom. base for Marine Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Teams and Navy SEAL commandos. for HSV 2 Swift. familiarization and training run for their forthcoming high speed service on Swift. Joint Venture returns to the shipyard at Hobart for a brief period of scheduled maintenance. course of the maintenance period.

08 Jan 2004

Navy's Evolutionary Catamaran Tested Off Africa

Low intensity conflict, littoral warfare, special forces that can be whisked ashore at a moment's notice-all familiar terms to describe just how the military must transform to fight the ongoing global war on terrorism, and the battles of the 21st century. For this very reason, the Navy's Military Sealift Command, or MSC, chartered two high-speed vessels-HSV Swift and HSV Westpac Express-sleek, stealthy, high-speed catamarans with a multitude of mission capabilities to meet today's security challenges, including: mine warfare, maritime interdiction, littoral warfare, humanitarian assistance, as well as the ability to quickly deploy troops to a combat zone.

08 Apr 2004

Swift on Display in Washington

HSV 2 Swift the US Navy’s high speed vessel built by Incat in Tasmania,Australia, and leased to the Navy by Bollinger Incat USA, went on display in Washington DC area recently. Traversing the Potomac River on her way to the berth at Old Town Alexandria in Virginia, the high speed vessel passed under the open Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The future of naval combat was on display in the Washington D.C. area, when the U.S. Navy's contracted high-speed vessel (HSV) Swift, pulled pierside in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, March 30-April 3.

14 Jun 2004

HSV 2 Swift Completes Sea Trials

In a world first for a commercial based High Speed Craft (HSC), certified and operated in accordance with the HSC Code by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), USN HSV 2 Swift has completed very comprehensive heavy weather sea trials in the North Atlantic Ocean. HSV 2 Swift is a 98 metre Incat SeaFrame configured to US Navy specifications and is designed by Revolution Design in Tasmania, Australia, and built by Incat Tasmania, also in Tasmania, Australia. HSV 2 Swift is contracted to the US Navy, through Military Sealift Command by Bollinger Incat USA.

09 Aug 2004

Bollinger Relocates R&D Department and High Speed Vessel Group

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., will relocate its research and development engineering office from Slidell, La., and shift the Bollinger high-speed vessels group from Lockport, to the James Business Park in St. Rose, La., in October 2004. Mike Ellis, Bollinger executive vice-president and chief operating officer said, "This new location in St. Rose will not only help us better serve our current shipyards from a design and engineering standpoint, but it will also help us attract potential employees to fill our future growth plans. The Slidell research and development office, Bollinger Northshore Engineering, about 45 miles east of the new facility, opened about five years ago. It creates and develops innovative design solutions for commercial and government clients.

10 Apr 2002

FastCat Is Shuffled From Navy to Army

HSV-X1, the 96-m Wave Piercing Sealift Catamaran, which is formally known as Joint Venture and currently on charter to the U.S. military from Bollinger/INCAT USA, has entered the next level of its experimental program - its recent transfer from the U.S. Navy to the U.S. Army. The vessel has been involved in a partnership of component commands from the U.S. Navy, Army, Marine Corps, U.S. Special Operations Command and Coast Guard, which are together exploring operational implications and opportunities of new marine technologies that are bringing higher speeds, longer ranges and increased payload capacities to surface vessels. With administrative control of HSV-X1 transferred to the U.S.

08 May 2002

Has the Fast Cat Come to A Halt?

Long hailed for its innovative "fast cat" vessels that were developed by Robert Clifford and Phil Hercus in the 1980's Incat Australia delivered not a new cat last month, but news of an impending bankruptcy. Could this be the end of the fast cats that have dominated the aluminum shipbuilding world for the past 20 years? During the first week of March the Hobart shipyard admitted that it was suffering from financial difficulties, and responded by laying off several hundred employees. In fact, according to Australian news sources, the yard has 1,000 less employees than it did one year ago — despite having won an $80 million contract from the U.S. Military for a 101-m high speed support vessel — transporting American troops throughout the Japanese Islands for the next three years.

20 Jul 2005

Military Uses for High-Speed Vessels

By Lara B. Mathews and Karim K. High-speed aluminum vessels are well-recognized and established as providing excellent service in a number of capacities by both private and public operators. These uses include leisure travel and tours and mass transportation of passengers and vehicles. In recent years, the U.S. military has joined the ranks of high-speed vessel users by introducing U.S.-built aluminum twin-hull high-speed vessels for use as Theater Support Vessels (TSVs) and for training exercises. Despite a somewhat uncertain funding climate for these types of vessels in the military, they have performed exceptionally well with demonstrated benefits. The U.S.

18 Sep 2002

Joint Venture Impresses Off San Diego

The Bollinger/Incat USA combination has hit another high note with the performance of its ship HSV-X1 - aka Joint Venture - at a recent major war game exercise off the U.S. west coast. According to the builders, the vessel played an integral part in the largest joint exercise ever undertaken by the U.S. military - known as Millennium Challenge 2002 (MC02) - which involved more than 13,500 military personnel and hundreds of ships and aircraft throughout the U.S. The war games are a large-scale joint field exercise, utilizing U.S. Army, Navy, Marine, and Special Operations Command personnel. The 313-ft. Joint Venture, on charter from Bollinger/Incat USA, is a high-speed troop and equipment transport which has multi-mission, multi-purpose capabilities.

03 Sep 2002

Joint Venture Impresses Military

The ship HSV-X1, better known as the "Joint Venture", played an integral part in the largest joint exercise ever undertaken by the US military, involving more than 13,500 military personnel and hundreds of ships and aircraft throughout the United States. The war games, known as Millennium Challenge 2002 (MC02), are a congressionally mandated, Secretary of Defense directed, large-scale joint field exercise, utilizing United States Army, Navy, Marine, and Special Operations Command personnel.The exercise began on July 24, and ran until August 15. The 313-ft. "Joint Venture", on charter to the US Government from Bollinger/Incat USA, is a high-speed troop and equipment transport which has multi-mission, multi-purpose capabilities.

13 Aug 2003

HSV 2 Swift Delivered to U.S. Navy

The new Catamaran HSV 2 Swift was delivered to the U.S. Navy yesterday during a celebration in Hobart, Australia. High ranking US Military officers joined with invited guests to witness the handover of the 98 metre Wave Piercing Catamaran HSV 2 Swift, Incat Hull 061. Guests were welcomed on board HSV 2 Swift by His Excellency The Honourable Sir Guy Green, AC, KBE, CVO, Governor of Tasmania. With the Royal Australian Air Force band playing, flags flying and the usual pomp and ceremony associated with such events, the 80 or so US officers and crew were joined by representatives of the Australian Defence Force, invited guests and the entire Incat workforce.

15 Jan 2003

Australian Maritime Report:Speed to Spare

The Australian marine industry is noted for building large, fast, efficient vessels, primarily for commercial ferry purposes. But as coastal patrol needs grow, so too do the military applications for these amazing breeds. Following is a brief review of some of the recent news from Down Under. Hobart-based shipbuilder Incat is emerging from a challenging year with news of not one, but two orders for the United States military. Just three weeks after the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) announced the lease of their first Theater Support for the Army from Bollinger/Incat USA. Military Sealift Command (MSC), Washington, D.C., also announced a contract for a 322-ft. (98-m) craft from Bollinger/Incat USA, to support U.S. Navy Mine Warfare Command.

23 Dec 2002

A Rest For Joint Venture

Subsequent to various tests by the U.S. military, the 315-ft. (96-m) experimental vessel HSV-X1 Joint Venture that had been delivered by the U.S. Army to Bollinger Morgan City, was successfully drydocked at the yard on October 31, 2002 for routine maintenance and periodic regulatory inspection. Upon completion of sea trials on November 14, the vessel was then delivered to the U.S. Navy for additional operational testing of its military capabilities. The project, which was managed by Bollinger Morgan City, also encompassed the coordination of a variety of subcontractors including Incat Tasmania, Caterpillar and Maritime Dynamics - interfaced with SupShips New Orleans - the government's project manager.

27 Nov 2002

Interesting Repair Jobs in GOM

Today's commercial vessel owners are becoming increasingly creative in order to extend the life of existing vessels. Typically, a commercial steel hull can last for more than 50 years. However, rugged use may call for extensive repair of a vessel to keep it sailing. Market changes may demand that a vessel originally design for one mission is converted to a new and hopefully more profitable use. Most repair work done in shipyards is for five-year regulatory inspections to meet Coast Guard requirements. Often shafts and props are repaired during this inspection, as are sea chests and rudders. Anodes may be replaced as well. A high profile…

19 Nov 2002

U.S. Army Accepts Spearhead

USAV TSV-1X Spearhead has been completed at the Incat shipyard in Hobart to meet US Army requirements and delivered to owner Bollinger/Incat USA for charter to the US Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM). Speaking to the official party and distinguished guests at the acceptance ceremony, Incat Chairman Robert Clifford said “The United States Army is to be soundly congratulated for having the foresight and vision to recognise the capability of our craft and the contribution they can make towards Transformation. They are to be congratulated also for taking that vision to the next step – not just studying it and talking about it, but actually moving forward and doing it”.

06 Dec 2002

Old Boats, New Beginnings

Today's commercial vessel owners are becoming increasingly creative in order to extend the life of existing vessels. Typically, a commercial steel hull can last for more than 50 years. However, rugged use may call for extensive repair of a vessel to keep it sailing. Market changes may demand that a vessel originally design for one mission is converted to a new and hopefully more profitable use. Most repair work done in shipyards is for five-year regulatory inspections to meet Coast Guard requirements. Often shafts and props are repaired during this inspection, as are sea chests and rudders. Anodes may be replaced as well. A high profile…

12 Feb 2003

Q&A: INCAT — A Delicate Balance for the Future

Rising out of the ashes of receivership, Hobart, Australia-based INCAT is back with a vengeance. After a setback this past year, the company, according to CEO Robert Clifford, is "well structured for the future." And the company is on its way to a speedy recovery with 2003 as it has just received two orders for the U.S. military and at press time, announced plans to have its debts repaid to the bank by the end of January 2003. The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive (TACOM) leased its premiere Theater Support vessel for the Army from Bollinger/INCAT USA, the Australian shipbuilder's joint aluminum shipbuilding venture in Louisiana. MR/EN: It's no secret that INCAT was in receivership last year — but is now emerging out of financial difficulty.

08 Aug 2001

Editor's Note

When two-year-old Janet McAllister christened her namesake in New York last month — the 5,000-hp, Eastern Shipbuilding-built Janet M. McAllister — a resurgence of maritime pride was evident at the South Street Seaport that had been missing from New York for years. The symbolism of a new generation from one of America's great maritime families inaugurating the most powerful tugboat in arguably the country’s most historic harbor was not lost. The event drew a healthy crowd of industry personnel, people with a vested interest in the boat or the storied towing company. But just as interesting was the throng of New York natives and tourist fixated on the event, as the vessel was put through her paces.

08 Aug 2001

Bollinger INCAT USA -- Marking Its Territory

Known for its sleek, fast and high-performance wave-piercing catamarans, Incat Australia expanded its reach to U.S. shores with its decision last year to partner with Lockport, La.,-based Bollinger Shipyards for the construction and design of a new breed of high speed, aluminum fast craft for operation in the U.S. Wanting to break into the U.S. military market, Bollinger Incat USA is poised to establish a new breed of fast ferry construction that will meet the needs of the U.S military forces. The company also plans to position its vessels as a means to alleviate traffic on highways with its plan for high-speed, high-performance freight vessels, which will be able to carry a mix of semi-trailers and freight vehicles.

19 May 2003

Incat Ferry Receives Significant Award

Incat received the award for Most Significant New Build-Fast Ferry at The Cruise and Ferry Exhibition and Conference held in London. The award was presented to builders Incat and owners Bollinger/Incat USA for the US Army Theater Support Vessel TSV-1X Spearhead at a gala dinner at the Hilton London Metropole. Shipping professionals crowned the 98 metre Spearhead as the ship most deserving of the title amidst fierce competition from other nominees, including: Austal Ships and EuroFerrys for EuroFerrys Pacifica; HDW and Superfast Ferries for the medium speed ships Superfast IX + X and Austal Ships and New World Fast Ferry for New Ferry LXXXI / LXXXII / LXXXIII.

09 Jun 2003

News: Incat Vessel Wins Award

Incat received the award for Most Significant New Build - Fast Ferry, at the biennial event for the ferry, fast ferry and cruise industry, The Cruise and Ferry Exhibition and Conference, held in London in mid-May. The award was presented to builders Incat and owners Bollinger/Incat USA for the 322-ft. U.S. Army Theater Support Vessel TSV-1X Spearhead. Incat Australia Pty Ltd. Managing Director Craig Clifford said "Incat to some extent were 'reigning champions' having also taken the Most Significant New Build - Fast Ferry award at the last Cruise & Ferry event in 2001 with the 96 m Evolution 10 Benchijigua Express for Fred. In November 2002, when Incat delivered Spearhead for service with the U.S. Army, expectations were high.

22 Apr 2003

Incat-Built Spearhead Meets Army’s Expectations

“Awesome” is the word used by CW3 Patrick S. knots running down the coast of Qatar during Operation Iraqi Freedom. expectations were high. and troop units. award. Gulf to be part of the major military build-up in the region. worldwide. Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. CW3 Patrick S. is amazing, and all eyes are on the Spearhead in every port. most of the western part of the CENTCOM Theater from Jordan to Kuwait. says, “I can tell you that Incat has hit a home run with this ship! of equipment. unbelievable” he says. TSV-1X Spearhead is a pure Army craft. fine-tune the requirements for Spearhead. the US Navy and on target for a mid 2003 delivery.