Vessel Focus: Patrol Boats

Halter Marine has answered the call from the Venezuelan Navy for a variety of patrol boats. The company recently delivered four 80 ft. (24.3 m) boats to the country's government, which completes the contract for the design and construction of 12 total vessels in this size range.

Designed for high speed operations in coastal and riverine environments, the vessels will be used for a variety of patrolling efforts in Venezuelan territorial waters, specifically to counter illegal drug traffic, provide search and rescue assistance, and disaster relief.

Powered by a pair of Detroit Diesel marine engines, the vessels will have a range of 1,000 nm and a maximum speed of 25 knots.

Halter also supplied the last two 54 ft. patrol boats for the Venezuelan National Guard. This particular contract called for the design and construction of 10 vessels, all of which are propelled by two MTU marine diesel engines with a maximum speed of 36 knots.

Bollinger Launches Navy's New Tornado

Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, La. launched the USS Tornado, the U.S. Navy's newest Patrol Coast Ship. The 14th member of the Cyclone Class to be built by Bollinger under a sole-source contract with the Navy, it is the first to include design modifications, equipment and armament upgrades as part of the Navy's Pre-Planned Product Improvement.

The vessel is modeled after the successful Vosper Thornycroft Ramadan class design, modified to meet Navy requirements, which entail change in the stern - including a ramp for the launching and recovery - while underway - of naval special warfare boats. Throughout its design/construction process, Tornado was extended from 170-179 ft. and adjusted to decrease its susceptibility to radar detection by reducing its signature.

Featuring a new, fully integrated bridge command and control system to increase its capabilities, Tornado houses a satellite navigation system, forward looking infrared and surface radar with collision avoidance capabilities. Communications encompass Navy standard interior and external voice communications systems. Also included is an impressive weapons suite, as well as hull and main decks - as on all Bollinger-built Cyclone Class patrol boats - made of steel and aluminum superstructures.

Measuring 179 ft., with a beam of 26 ft. and a draft of less than eight ft., Tornado is fully operational through Sea Sate 3. Power is provided by four Paxman diesel engines developing a total of 13,400-hp, driving four, 42-in. diameter propellers through Reintjes reverse/reduction gears. Electrical power is supplied by two 150 kW Caterpillar generators. Holding a fuel capacity of 15,000 gallons, and 1,200 gallons of potable water produced by three water makers, Tornado's continuous speed is above 35 knots.

SeaArk Commander to Protect Nation's 'Lady'

SeaArk Marine recently delivered a Commander Patrol Boat to the United States Park Police at the Statue of Liberty National Monument in New York City.

The 25-ft. deep-vee patrol craft will be used to patrol and protect the harbor around one of the United States' most treasured monuments, the Statue of Liberty. The boat will operate in New York Harbor and the waters surrounding Liberty Island and Ellis Island where 5.5 million people visit each year.

The SeaArk Commander is designed as an all-weather patrol vessel. The Commander's deep-vee hull provides a smooth, dry ride in rough water conditions. The new boat for the Park Police is built with a fully enclosed four-person cabin, which features an extended ceiling to allow eight ft. of headroom. The cabin also features a cuddy area with two single bunks.

Accessories and electronics on the SeaArk Commander include a roof-mount electronics arch, recessed docking lights, two emergency strobe lights, two flood lights, four-in. lighted compass, digital fathometer, VHF-FM radio with antenna, siren/PA system, and radar.

The vessel is powered by twin 175 hp Johnson outboard engines which are protected by an outboard protection bar. During builder's trials, the boat obtained speeds in excess of 50 mph.

Kvichak Delivers Shore Patrolling Vessel

Kvichak Marine delivered the first of a two-boat order for the Nassau County Police Department of New York. Measuring 38 ft., the monohull is operating on the county's South Shore for patrol and rescue.

With a beam of 14 ft. and a three ft. draft, the all-aluminum vessel replaces a 36 ft. fiberglass boat that had previously been used by the department for 17 years. Named Marine 5, the vessel is powered by twin Caterpillar 3126-DITA diesel engines, fitted to Twin Disc MG507-1 reversing marine transmissions. The vessel's engines are coupled to a pair of Hamilton 321 propulsion jets via Spicer U-joint shafts.

Hamilton jets were selected instead of the conventional propellers and shafts, since according to first chief of Patrol, Robert Bishop, "Most of the bays in the South Shore area are very shallow and grounding is always a concern."

Able to displace 27,000-lbs. fully loaded and boasting a fuel capacity of 250 gallons, Marine 5 cruises at 26 knots, topping out at 30 knots.

The second part of this two-vessel order, Marine 6, is scheduled to join the department's fleet in December 2000.