Page 41: of Marine News Magazine (June 2022)

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EPF 16

Austal USA has won a $230.5 million contract for the de- tailed design and construction of EPF 16, the Navy’s newest

Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship. Construction is ex- pected to start later this year with delivery projected for 2025.

Austal USA has so far delivered 12 EPFs. Three addi- tional EPFs are currently under construction. “Like the previously delivered EPFs, EPF 16 will ben- e? t from the serial production of this program, resulting

Austal not only in a world-class ship but also providing assur- ance to the U.S. Navy that capability will be delivered on con? guration. “Flight II ships will enhance the original ca- budget and on schedule,” said Austal USA President Rusty pabilities of the Spearhead class through incorporation of

Murdaugh. “Our reputation for delivering quality is a di- recon? gurable spaces for operating rooms and postsurgical rect re? ection of the commitment and dedication of our recovery efforts. Combined with the ship’s ? ight deck that talented shipbuilders and suppliers.” is capable of landing V-22 aircraft, Flight II ships provide

EPF 16 will be the third ship constructed in the Flight II unmatched versatility,” Austal USA said.

Jones Act CTVs constructed at St. Johns Shipyard in Palatka, Fla., and one will be built at Gulf Craft in Franklin, La. The CTVs are scheduled to be delivered in 2023 and will go immediately into service for GE Renewables. The vessels will ? rst oper- ate out of New Bedford, Mass., during the Vineyard Wind

I construction period.

Offshore wind developer Vineyard Wind in early May announced it has signed a contract to charter a CTV from

Massachusetts-based marine transportation company Pa- triot Offshore Maritime Services. The 27-meter aluminum

CTV will be built at Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding in

Somerset, Mass. for mid-2023 delivery. Based on an Incat

Crowther catamaran design, it will be capable of carrying up to 24 technicians and personnel.

The vessel will initially hail from New Bedford and other

Incat Crowther

Massachusetts ports during construction of the Vineyard

Several more crew transfer vessels have been ordered in Wind 1 project. Afterward, it will be based in Vineyard Ha- recent weeks as market players gear up to meet the needs ven during the project’s operation and management phase. of the growing U.S. offshore wind industry. Vineyard, which noted it has an option to charter addi-

In the last week of April, WINDEA CTV announced tional CTVs from Patriot, has also signed a contract with construction has started on three 30-meter hybrid-ready American Offshore Services for a second CTV that will be

CTVs. Two of the Incat Crowther-designed CTVs will be built by Blount Boats in Rhode Island.

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