Signet Shipbuilding News

Signet Sirius, the first of two ART 92-32W Rotortugs was recently delivered by Signet Maritime at their Pascagoula Shipbuilding and Repair facility. This is the first ART Rotortug that Signet has built and operated in their fleet. Designed by Robert Allan Ltd. in collaboration with RotorTug BV, the Advanced Rotortugs (ART) incorporate the patented triple Z-drive Rotortug propulsion layout, featuring omni-directional maneuverability, and the benefits of a fully redundant and precise propulsion machinery configuration.

A new tug  built by Signet Shipbuilding and Repair was delivered to E.N. Bisso & Son Inc. in mid-December. The vessel, Gladys B, is Robert Allan Ltd.’s newest RApport 2400 class tugboat design. “She is named for the wife of the founder of the company in 1946, Captain Edwin Napoleon Bisso. This powerful steel titan will serve her owner well. Built in America, built by Americans and built for progress. She will soon be known in Louisiana as the Maserati of the River,” said Signet President, J. Barry Snyder.

On the morning of October 12, 2016, E.N. Bisso and Signet Shipbuilding & Repair (SS&R) Pascagoula, Miss., christened and launched E.N. Bisso’s newest high technology Robert Allan Ltd. (RAL) design tug. Mrs. Deborah F. McDonald, wife of Mr. William H. McDonald, President, E.N. Bisso, New Orleans, Louisiana, was the Christening Sponsor. The GLADYS B, SS&R Hull 109 was launched immediately following the ceremony, and will be delivered on-time and on-budget December 12, 2016. This ASD tug is the fourth RAL design vessel constructed by SS&R, with two new build contracts currently under negotiation.

Signet continues Gulf of Mexico expansion and opens U.S. Signet Maritime Corporation informs it has completed Phase II of a $250 million capital expansion program with the acquisition and integration of the Harvey Gulf OTV fleet. The corporate strategy was to design and own vessels for multidisciplinary work, and diversify with the addition of the powerful offshore vessels, enabling Signet to broaden its services into new market segments, the company explained. Continuing this U.S. expansion, Signet has been awarded multi-vessel, long term charters by Trailer Bridge, Inc., an international freight service company, to perform weekly sailings from Jacksonville, Florida to San Juan, Puerto Rico and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

Dometic’s HVAC systems fit right into the dual purpose of providing comfortable workboat environments while also protecting vital equipment. Both tasks go hand in hand and collaboration between parties is the key. An efficient and reliable HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system on board commercial vessels is essential. In difficult and often extreme operating conditions, the system will provide a comfortable and healthy work environment for crew and also protect vital electronic equipment from overheating and potentially breaking down.

Harvey Gulf International Marine has sold its towing division to Signet Maritime Corporation. Through the deal, Signet will acquire eight offshore towing vessels (OTVs) ranging in size from 75 to 153 metric tons bollard pull. The sale will encompass all Harvey OTVs, spares, business and supplies. The transfer of OTV ownership was completed on May 15, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana with financing provided by Wells Fargo Equipment Finance as part of a $209 million syndicated financing facility.

Signet Maritime Corporation is investing $7.2 million in infrastructure improvements to their Pascagoula, Mississippi shipyard, Signet Shipbuilding & Repair (SS&R) to support an increased workload and future growth. In addition to the recent acquisition of the 150-ton crawler crane, the shipyard facility modernization includes the dredging and renewal of a 1000-foot waterfront bulkhead, a new fabrication shop, expanded drydock and concrete base for vessel repairs, and improved sand blasting and painting area.

Clear Lake Shores-based Castleman Maritime LLC has been commissioned by Texas tug operator, Signet Maritime LLC, to engineer and design their seventh ASD (Azimuthing Stern Drive) tug. This new 72' LOA x 28' Beam ASD tug is a smaller size, giving her operators improved maneuverability in the tight quarters found on Texas' inland waterways. Upon delivery, the M/V Signet Vigilant will operate from Signet's International Operations Center in Ingleside, Texas. The proximity of Castleman…

Construction of Signet Maritime’s seventh ASD tug in less than four years, M/V Signet Vigilant is underway at Signet Shipbuilding & Repair in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The 30 metric ton bollard pull, EPA Tier III, ASD vessel will be the first Castleman Maritime design for Signet with delivery slated for July 2014. The new tug will operate from Signet’s International Operations Center in Ingleside, Texas where it will perform rig escort, ship, and barge assist work. The design and…

Signet Shipbuilding & Repair, (SS&R) a division of Signet Maritime Corporation announced the purchase and operation commencement of its newest heavy lift crane for new construction and repair. The 150-ton crawler crane will be utilized for hauling small vessels and barges from the water and loading/offloading marine equipment while vessels are dockside. Signet Shipbuilding & Repair specializes in new construction, repair, maintenance and refurbishment of tugs, workboats and barges.

Signet Maritime Corporation announced delivery of its newest vessel, a Robert Allan designed AZ 25/60 Class towing and escort tug, M/V Signet Magic, on July 26, 2013 from Signet Shipbuilding & Repair, Pascagoula, Mississippi. This Signet owned state-of-the-art ASD will be used at multiple Gulf of Mexico locations for harbor assist, and ship and rig escort, designed specifically to work under limited maneuvering conditions. M/V Signet Magic was christened Friday, July 26, 2013 in the Port of Pascagoula. Mrs. Brenda Dahl, wife of Mr.

On Thursday, November 1, 2012, American Equity Underwriters (AEU) presented Signet Shipbuilding & Repair (SS&R) with their 2011 Safety & Health Best Shipyard Award. The award recognizes the shipyard that is superior among all other shipyards in terms of claim frequency and severity performance among all AEU members. Signet received recognition within the small shipyard category and credits the achievement to making safety a priority at every organizational level. The AEU Safety…

In May of 2012, Signet Maritime Corporation commenced construction of a new-build 140’ x 40’ deck barge, SIGNET 141, at its Signet Shipbuilding & Repair division. The barge, designed by Farrell and Norton Naval Architects of Newcastle, Maine, will provide an additional asset to assist customers in the growing Port of Pascagoula, where it will be based for charter throughout ports in the US Gulf. The barge has an LOA of 140’, beam of 40’, molded depth of 9’, a light draft of 1’5” and will handle 800 long tons of cargo with deck strength of 2,000 lbs/sq. ft.

To meet strict international codes, the marine transportation and logistics services company Signet Maritime Corporation recently installed Sea-Fire suppression and detection systems on three new tugs. Two of the vessels are 100' x 40' RAstar 3100 Class Terminal Support/Escort tugs. Built by Trinity Offshore, M/V Signet Stars & Stripes and M/V Signet Constellation were recently christened in Gulfport, Mississippi. The third, M/V Signet Weatherly, is a 108' x 40' 4" RAmparts 3200 ASD tug, built by Signet Shipbuilding, and was delivered March 10, 2012. Each tug is protected by a custom-engineered, automatic Sea-Fire FM-200 fire suppression system and FireStop Detection system. An EPA-approved alternative to halon, FM-200 is safe for people and equipment.

Signet Maritime Corporation announced that its newest tug, a Robert Allan designed RAmparts 3200 Class ocean towing and escort tug, M/V SIGNET WEATHERLY, will be delivered on March 10, 2012, from Signet Shipbuilding & Repair in Pascagoula, Mississippi. This state-of-the-art ASD will be used in Signet’s U.S. Gulf of Mexico operations. Signet will own and operate the vessel in support of its Offshore Towing Division and its expanding U.S. Gulf and overseas harbor, ship assist, deep offshore and ocean rig transport business.