New & Notables

3.Maj Delivers Chaleur Bay 3.MAJ Brodogradiliste of Rijeka, Croatia has delivered Chaleur Bay - the second of its four-part oil/products carrier series. The Liberian-registered vessel group, which was ordered by Inter Shipping is formatted for transportation of crude oil and oil products, with cargo space divided by one corrugated longitudinal bulkhead. Double sides protect the cargo space, and in addition to conventional double bottom within cargo space, double sides were applied in fuel oil tanks, in compliance with strict international environmental requirements. Kvichak Supplies Patrol Vessel Kvichak Marine, Seattle, Wash. delivered the 54 ft. (16.4 m) all-aluminum catamaran M/V Thresher to California Fish & Game. Designed by Teknicraft of Auckland, New Zealand, the partially foil-supported catamaran will be stationed in Dana Point as a Fish and Game Enforcement patrol vessel for Southern California.

Weighing approximately 28 tons fully loaded, Thresher is powered by twin Caterpillar 3196 DITA diesel engines, driving 30 in. stainless steel propellers through Twin Disc MG 5114A gears, Thresher cruises at 26 knots with a top speed of 30 knots.

With a beam of 20 ft. (6 m), the vessel's deck equipment is comprised of an aft deck A-frame to deploy and retrieve customer supplied Hurricane inflatable. A rotating articulated crab block davit allows for the hoisting and retrieval of fishing traps and pots of a diameter up to 60 in.

Kvichak also marks its one-year anniversary at its new Seattle location. After a seven-year search process, the company settled into its current site, which was previously owned by Flohr Metal Fabricators. The 35,000 sq. ft. yard and offices has been instrumental in the company's expanding all-aluminum vessel line. Ingalls-Built IWO JIMA Is Navy’s Newest LHD 7 LHD 7, the U.S. Navy's newest large-deck multipurpose amphibious assault vessel was christened Iwo Jima on March 25 at Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. The vessel is the second of its kind to bear the namesake of the heroic participants in the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima - an event that was remembered by the six men who raised the American flag over Mount Suribachi.

Second in size to the Navy's aircraft carriers, the LHD 7 is designed to transport the Navy/Marine Corps by the sea to land battle, as well as support the effort, primarily was the command vessel of an Amphibious Ready Group. These vessels are specifically developed to deploy to a troubled area of the world, subsequently presenting forces ashore via helicopters and LCAC hover craft.

Measuring 844 ft. (257.2 m), with a 106 ft. (32.3 m) beam, the vessel holds two steam propulsion plants, developing a combined 70,000-hp driving the 40,500-ton ship to speeds in excess of 20 knots.