Page 16: of Marine News Magazine (January 2005)

15 17

16 • MarineNews • January, 2005

Passenger Vessel Annual

The wife of Alaska's senior senator Ted Stevens, christened Alaska's second fast ferry at the Dereck- tor Shipyard in Bridgeport, Conn. The ship -- M/V

Chenega -- is scheduled to begin service in Alaska's

Prince William Sound in late spring. Designed by

Nigel Gee and built by Derecktor Shipyard, the vessel is the second aluminum passenger and vehi- cle carrying catamaran built for the state. Once it is put into service, it will provide daily service between its homeport of Cordova and the surface highway accessible communities of Valdez and

Whittier -- at travel times of almost half those of most Alaska Marine Highway vessels. "The addi- tion of the Chenega will continue to change our system," noted Tom Briggs, Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation and

Director of Marine Operations. "While we've done a good job of providing regular service to Cordova,

Valdez and Whittier, the Chenega will greatly improve access by providing these communities with daily service." Captain John Falvey, General

Manager, noted the system began using fast ferries last year with the introduction of the M/V Fair- weather, (featured on this month’s cover) and that the learning curve is steep. "We've gotten to the point where the crew is comfortable navigating the

Fairweather and traveling at more than 30 knots - a major accomplishment, especially during the win- ter, " he said. "While we now have crew trained for the Inside Passage, we are going to have to adapt that knowledge to Prince William Sound." Gavin

Higgins, COO of Derecktor Shipyard, noted the importance of the vessel's construction to the ship- yard, as well. "The Chenega, like its sister ship, the

Fairweather, utilizes the latest technology in build- ing techniques and equipment. We've learned a great deal from the Fairweather's performance and have applied that to the Chenega. It's a great ves- sel, a true prototype for 21st century ferry travel, and one that will provide Alaska with another great, "state of the art" ship."

Circle 202 on Reader Service Card

The Best Box Made!

Better Way Products “Your Satisfaction Is Ours” 70891 CR 23

New Paris, IN 46553 574-831-3340

FAX: 574-831-3611

E-MAIL: [email protected] www.dockbox.com

Reinforced lids for Adult Seating

Ideal for life Jacket Storage

Lockable

Over 25 Standard Models

Custom Sizes Available

HIGHEST QUALITY! VALUE!

Circle 219 on Reader Service Card

Marine Machining Specialists 33475 Giftos Drive, Clinton Township, MI 48035

Phone 586-791-8800

Derecktor-built Ferry Christened

Last of Three Built for NYC's DOT

Marinette Marine Corporation, a subsidiary of

The Manitowoc Company, Inc. launched the ferry

Spirit of America for New York City's Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) on December 18.

This 310- ft. ferry is the third of three Staten Island

Ferries to be built as part of a $120-million contract that was awarded to Manitowoc in 2001. The ships are the largest ever launched at the Marinette

Marine facility.

The launch featured Margaret Gordon, Executive

Director of Safety and Security for the Staten Island

Ferries, performing the traditional christening cere- mony. "The Spirit of America will be the 27th ferry to serve the Staten Island to New York route since municipal service began in 1905. We are proud to be part of this 100-year tradition, and we're proud of the work our Marinette shipyard did on these three cutting-edge ships," said Dennis McCloskey, presi- dent of Manitowoc's Marine Group.

The ferry was named Spirit of America in remembrance of how America pulled together fol- lowing the 9-11 tragedy. The ferry will be under construction for four additional months and will then undergo sea trials. It is scheduled to be deliv- ered to NYC DOT in New York in June 2005.

The first of the three Staten Island ferries built by

Marinette Marine, the Guy V. Molinari, is currently undergoing crew training in New York and is expected to enter service next month. The second ferry, the John J. Marchi, sailed from the Marinette

Marine shipyard earlier in December and is en- route to New York City.

Circle 24 on Reader Service Card

MN JAN05 1 (1-16).qxd 1/4/2005 1:07 PM Page 16