Burton Launches Third Of Seven Tuna Seiners

The DeoLinda, a 224-foot, 1,200-ton tuna seiner, was launched into the waters of the Sabine Neches Channel at Burton Shipyard, Inc., recently after being christened by its namesake, Mrs. Deolinda Medeiros, wife of the DeoLinda's skipper, Raymond Medeiros, and her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Christina Medei ros. Mrs. Medeiros was also assisted in the christening by her daughters and maids of honor, Miss Karen Medeiros and Miss Linda Dee Medeiros.

The vessel is the third of a seven-ship contract awarded to Burton Shipyard, Inc., Port Arthur, Texas, by Van Camp Sea Food Company, a division of Ralston Purina Company.

The DeoLinda is jointly owned by Van Camp Sea Food Company and Capt. Raymond Medeiros. The ship is expected to operate primarily with the Pacific fleet, fishing for skipjack and yellowfin.

The vessel will have a cruising speed of 16 knots and is designed for operation with a crew of 21. The DeoLinda measures 42 feet wide, with a draft of 18 feet 6 inches.

Displacing 2,600 long tons, the steel-hulled craft is capable of carrying a 1,200-shortton payload of frozen tuna. The design and detailed engineering drawings were provided by Rados International Corporation, San Pedro, Calif. In basic concept, the DeoLinda follows the proven characteristics of previous Rados designs, and includes the latest innovations and convenience features that have been developed for the tuna fishing operators.

"Yacht like" in outward appearance, similar luxury is exemplified in the interior treatment for the convenience and comfort of the crew. Such features as stereophonic music, closed circuit recorded television, and luxurious lounge areas make off-duty hours more pleasurable.

The new tuna seiner is propelled by a General Motors EMD, turbocharged, marine diesel engine, rated at 3,600 shp at 900 rpm.

The 20-cylinder engine drives a 132-inchdiameter, five-blade stainless-steel propeller through a Falk reduction and reversing gear.

Auxiliary power for the vessel is provided by three Caterpillar D-353 TA diesels with 300-kw Kato brushless generators. The ship's bowthruster is a Bird-Johnson model 10/35/ FP with direct Caterpillar drive.

A passive stabilizer has been incorporated into the hull structure, and was engineered by John J. McMullen Associates.

Fishing gear and hydraulic equipment are by Marco and include a Model WS444 purse seine winch and the Puretic power block model B56-61990-185. A Whaley Model B- 102-H hydraulic ring stripper is also provided.

The purse davit is a Rados International design.

N a v i g a t i o n a l aid and communications equipment, provided and installed by Marine Electric of San Diego, Calif., consists of a Magnavox 1102 Satnav receiver, Furuno FRJ- 100 and KRA-1064 radars, FE 812 depth sounder, FDK-245 ADF and scanning sonar.

Other NAV COM gear includes Sperry MK 37 gyrocompasses, gyropilot, Furuno weather facsimile recorder model FAX 143 and a broad assortment of radio communications equipment.

Facilities are provided for the operation of a helicopter with the pad located on the wheelhouse top, with stainless steel fuel tanks located in the work deck area. Private berthing accommodations are included for the helicopter pilot and his mechanic. Five outboard chase boats are stored on both the boat deck and the upper deck. The dieselpowered purse skiff is provided by Mauricio and Sons of San Diego, Calif.

Burton Shipyard president Ammon Kersteter has announced that Burton was the first shipyard on the Gulf Coast to construct this type of tuna seiner and that the yard facilities are being upgraded to enable more efficient construction of all types of vessels, including tuna seiners, tugboats, offshore supply boats, barges and other special marine equipment. In addition, vessel repair facilities are available, including two marine railways and a 3,000-ton drydock.

Burton is located in Port Arthur, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pioneer Texas Corporation of Dallas, Texas.

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