Page 5: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 15, 1978)

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The 2,000-dwt America, shown in her side launching at Equitable Shipyards in

Madisonville, La., will join a new fleet of American-flag ships serving the Caribbean and South American trades.

American Atlantic Shipping

Launches First Ship — The M/V America

American Atlantic Shipping,

Inc., One World Trade Center,

Suite 1035, New York, N.Y. 10048, a subsidiary of American Marine

Industries, Inc., launched the first in a series of three multipurpose breakbulk / reefer / container ships on October 14, 1978. Named the

M/V America, it is the first ship of American Atlantic Lines which will operate a fleet of American- flag vessels in the United States to the Caribbean, Central Ameri- can and South American trades.

The 2,000-dwt America-class vessels are the most technologi- cally advanced vessels of their size in the U.S.-flag liner fleet.

Their design and size make them ideally suited for calls at shallow- draft ports with limited facilities.

Fully automated, built for fast turnarounds with a high degree of cargo flexibility, the America- class vessels can meet the needs of a wide spectrum of shippers in the trade. The vessels have high productivity cargo gear for break- bulk and heavy lift operations, and lift-on/lift-off capability for both 20-foot and 40-foot contain- ers. Refrigerated cargo can be ac- commodated in both the ship's substantial reefer spaces and in refrigerated containers.

In a traditional ceremony held in Equitable Shipyards, Madison- ville, La., Kathleen Murphy, wife of Congressman John M. Murphy of New York, Chairman, Mer- chant Marine and Fisheries Com- mittee, christened the vessel

America.

In his principal address at the launching, Congressman Murphy lauded the significant initiative and commitment made by Amer- ican Marine Industries to the

American merchant marine.

Ronald C. Rasmus, president and chief executive officer of

American Atlantic Lines, said that the M/V America is a tan- gible symbol of our belief that

American-flag liner vessels can compete in the smaller ship mar- ket in the United States foreign commerce.

When delivered in mid-1979, the three America-class vessels will be home-ported in New York and will be represented by Ches- ter, Blackburn & Roder, Inc. as general agents.

Left to right: Cecil M. Keeney, president of Equitable Shipyards, Inc., and Ronald

C. Rasmus, president, American Atlantic Shipping, Inc., at the microphone to wel- come guests to the America launching.

Principal Characteristics

Length O.A 295'-3"

L.B.P 274'-0

Beam, Molded 45'-0

Depth, Molded 22'-0

Draft, Design, Molded 14'-0

Draft, Maximum, Molded 14'-9"

DWT 2,000 L.T.

Frame Spacing 2'-0

Trial Speed at Design Draft and 85% Rated Horsepower 13.75 KN

Machinery, Diesel 1 x 3,000 BHP at 750 RPM

Propeller 10.0 Ft. Dia.

Complement 7 2 1 2 12

Deck Department .

Engine Department .

Stewards Department

Cadets

Total

Additional Characteristics

The America-class ships have high productivity cargo gear for breakbulk and heavy lift operations and lift-on/lift-off capability for 20- and 40-foot containers.

Fuel Capacity

Water Ballast Capacity

Fresh Water Capacity

Average Consumption at 85% Output

Cruising Range Approx.

Auxiliary Engines

Total Bale Capacity

General (Nos. 1 & 2 Holds) 2,941.33 m3

Refrigerated (No. 3 Hold) 736.24 m3

Cargo Gear

Cranes

Cargo Booms

Container Capacity 99 Units (20 Ft.)

Reefer Container Outlets 292.28 L. Tons 757.79 L. Tons 21.14 L. Tons 12.50 Tons/Day 6,000 Naut. Mi. 2 x 400 KW . 103,872 ft.3 26,000 ft.3 2 x 20 Tons 1x8 Tons 2 x 5 Tons 16

Kathleen Murphy, assisted by her husband, Congressman John M. Murphy, and

Equitable Shipyards president Cecil M. Keeney (far right), lets fly with the bottle, christening the M/V America.

November 15, 1978 7