Page 88: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 1986)

$3.4-Million Contract

To Bertucci Construction

For Southwest Pass Work

Anthony J. Bertucci Construction

Company, Incorporated, Jefferson,

La., is being awarded a $3,414,293 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of the Southwest Pass for a shore dike, and the placement of 37,200 tons of filter stone, 162,900 tons of armor stone and 79,300 cubic yards of shell. Work will be per- formed at the Southwest Pass of the

Mississippi River, and is expected to be completed by December, 1986.

The amount of this action is $2,300,000, with the balance to be incrementally funded at a later date. There were 15 bids solicited on

March 20, 1986, and two bids re- ceived. The contracting activity is the New Orleans Engineer District,

New Orleans, La. (DACW29-86-C- 0073).

SN

MARQUIP'

Marine Equipment

Manufactured -in the Northwest with American Made Materials

Carpenter Stoppers

Six frame sizes available. Each size machined to fit a range of cable from the smallest ('/>") to the largest (3"). (Wedges are not interchangeable). Heavy duty

Navy type. Built from alloy cast steel.

Towing Shackles

Designed for towing or heavy lifting. Made from heat treated, high strength alien steel, in sizes from 1V" to 4".

Gfi Towing Plates

Cast of nickel chrome steel in three sizes. Superior strength for safety, with maximum corrosion resistance. fcu Tow ing Sockets

For 2" & 2 V" wire rope sizes. Built from special cast alloy steel.

GiU Capstans

Proof tested and certified. Air or hydraulic, electric or manual with a large range ofsiz.es. horsepower, speed, pull and gypsy head. Competitively priced.

Gli Devils Claw

Full retractable, claw simplifies transporting chain to the rig. Built with heat treated American steel for the most rugged use.

Cli Cab-L-Mate Socketers

T\vo sizes for most large and small cable. One operator can do the work of two and do it in less time. • Release Hooks

Six models. 25 to 150 ton capacities. Air or hydraulic, manual orelectric release.

Select from single, double, triple or quad mountings. Made in the L'SA w ith .American materials for dependable strength.

Washington Chain and Supply, Inc. 2901 Utah Ave. South

P.O. Box 3645, Seattle, WA 98124 (206) 623-8500

CALLTOLLFREE 1-800-851-3429 (Washington State Only) 1-800-543-1304 * Marquip is a registered trade name of Washington Chain & Supply, inc.

The Sterling was converted by Aluminum Boats, Inc., of Louisiana. 'New' High-Speed Ferry Boosts

Boston Area Commuter Service

Circle 242 on Reader Service Card

The number of high-speed, round trips available to ferry commuters in South Boston suburbs increased by 40 percent recently with the addition of a 100-foot, 150-passen- ger ferry boat to the Boston Harbor

Commuter Service fleet.

The "new" boat, the Sterling, is actually a converted 30-MPH all- aluminum crewboat built in 1980 for the rapid transport of personnel and cargo to offshore rigs in the Gulf of

Mexico. Aluminum Boats, Inc., suc- cessor the vessel's builder, Cam- craft, Inc., performed the conver- sion at its shipyard in Crown Point,

La., a New Orleans suburb.

Dana Goodell, president of

Boston Harbor Commuter Service, said the Sterling can make the 9.8- mile run from its berth at the old

Hingham Shipyard to Rowes Wharf in downtown Boston in just under 30 minutes. He added that some older, slower vessels now take be- tween 45 and 60 minutes to make the same trip. "We chose to convert a crewboat rather than build a new ferry be- cause the economics are perfect," said Mr. Goodell. "Right now there are many excellent, hardly used crewboats available at low prices because of decreased offshore oil and gas activity. Crewboats are de- signed and built tougher than fer- ries because they operate in open seas and have to withstand pound- ing against rigs while loading and unloading people and cargoes in rough seas. They are faster because they have to cover greater distances than ferries and the rig crews they carry are paid full wages during transit. They can work year round and have no problems with the high winds and ice in the Boston har- bor."

The main cabin of the rebuilt boat, which can seat 80, features rows of two seats each separated by wide aisles, much like those on jum- bo jets. All inside seats are cush- ioned, and are 2 inches wider than regular seats for additional comfort.

This level also features a small gal- ley which serves coffee and dough- nuts in the morning and cocktails in the afternoon.

Below the main deck is another level with similar seating for 39 along with a lounge and tables for those who wish to play cards or work. The outer, upper deck is certi- fied for 100 commuters or whale watchers as the boat is available for private parties and charter. Inside seats are easily removed to provide additional space for a band and dance floor for receptions. "It's easy for passengers to work, play cards, and eat and drink on this boat," said Mr. Goodell, "because of all the ferry boats I know, this one gives the smoothest ride and the most stability under way. It's also the quietest because its new under- water exhaust system greatly re- duces the noise level inside the boat."

The transition from crewboat to ferry boat required a 47-foot exten- sion of the main cabin over the aft deck; removal of the captain's state- room, crew quarters (except two bunks and shower), and galley in the lower compartment; installation of new flooring, ceiling, bulkheads and paneling; installation of lounge seats and coffee tables; removal of the air cooling system and bolstering of the heating system; installation of ther- mal windows; and conversion to an underwater exhaust system.

In a refreshing return to the un- complicated business practices of the past, all of the $200,000-plus modification work was accom- plished by a handshake of the two principals, Mr. Goodell, and Sal- vador Guarino, president of Alu- minum Boats, Inc. "They (Aluminum Boats, Inc.) converted another crewboat, the

Chimera, for us in early 1984," said

Mr. Goodell. "We put them on really tight deadlines, like 90 days from start to finish, and both boats were ready on the requested de- livery dates. If Sal (Guarino) says something will be done, you can bank on it, and his workmanship is 100 percent."

The Sterling was originally the

Sterling Fryou, which was built in 1980 for Briley Marine Service of

Morgan City, La. She served that company for 15 months in the Gulf of Mexico. The ferry is 100 feet in length, with a 24-foot beam, and 5- foot draft. She is powered by two

Detroit Diesel 12V71TI diesel en- 88 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News