Page 14: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 15, 1984)

Seaworthy And Bethlehem Steel Offer An Innovative 1,500-TEU Class Convertible Container Carrier

Seaworthy Systems, Inc., of Essex, Connect- icut, and Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Spar- rows Point Yard have announced an innova- tive vessel design intended for Jones Act trade routes. The vessel's capacity is based on the carriage of 774 forty-foot equivalents using longitudinally movable cell guides. The flexi- bility to adjust to any mix of containers gives rise to the choice of the term "convertible" in naming the vessel class.

The design provides a continuous, unob- structed, weather-protected deck aft of the house with easy access to reefer receptacles at all levels. Elimination of the usual transverse bulkheads and hatches in combination with the use of longitudinal framing and repetitive

Model shows longitudinally movable cell guide. structures provide economies in construction.

Operational savings will be realized through the elimination of hatch covers and container lashing systems resulting in faster port turn- around times. The heavy-fuel-burning die- sel-powered twin screws and bow thruster make it exceptionally well-suited to the fre- quent maneuvering required for the service intended.

Alternate cargo designs for this multi-pur- pose vessel include variations of RO/RO, RO/

LO, special products, heavy lift, and a variety of military configurations. The vessel's con- cept permits extremely low gross tonnage for its size.

John Boylston, vice president (left), Seaworthy, and Richard

B. Ralph, manager of engineering, Bethlehem Steel, Sparrows

Point, discuss design flexibility. > T

Preliminary estimates place the vessel's price under $50 million.

Ship's Particulars

Length overall 600 ft.

Length between perpendiculars . . 543 ft.

Beam 106 ft.

Depth to main deck 35 ft.

Draft 25 ft.

Dwt 20,000 tons

Crew 18

Powerplant (2) M.A.N. B&W 8L55 GB low speed engines - ACCU

Speed 20 knots

Containers 774 FEU

Reefers up to 100% (as desired)

Artist's conception of the new design. 16 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News