OUTSTANDING WORKBOATS & MILITARY SHALLOW-DRAFT VESSELS OF 1987

special review of some of the most notable and important inland and coastal workboats and shallow-draft military craft delivered during 1987—selected by the editors of Maritime Reporter and Engineering News for their high standards of design or performance.

AVENGER Peterson Builders The USS Avenger (MCM-1), the lead ship of the Navy's newest class of mine countermeasure vessels, was commissioned at the yard of her builder, Peterson Builders, Inc.

(PBI), this year.

The Avenger Class MCMs are the Navy's largest wooden ships, measuring 224 feet long and 39 feet abeam. The Avenger is powered by four 600-hp Waukesha diesel engines with three diesel generators.

She displaces 1,300 tons and carries a crew of 81 officers and enlisted men.

The introduction of the new Avenger Class into the Navy's active fleet will greatly enhance its surface minehunting, minesweeping and mine neutralization capabilities due to the vessel's sophisticated minewarfare equipment, which was supplied by Honeywell. A.C. Hoyle supplied the vessel's minesweeping machinery and Siemens-Allis, her minesweep generator.

BLAIR MCCALL Gulf Craft The 155-foot aluminum crewboat Blair McCall was delivered last year by Gulf Craft, Inc. of Patterson, La., to McCall Boat Rental, Inc. of Cameron, La. According to Gulf Craft president Scott Tibbs, the Blair McCall is the world's largest aluminum crewboat.

The unique, five-screw Blair McCall, which has a beam of 30 feet and loaded draft of 8 feet, is powered by five Cummins KTA 1150M diesel engines that develop a total of 3,400 horsepower. She is U.S. Coast Guard-approved to carry 92 passen- gers and is able to carry 190 tons of deck cargo.

The five Cummins engines allowed Gulf Craft to design a more maneuverable vessel by locating a rudder behind each of the three aft propellers. This allows the captain to safely position his vessel around rigs for the purpose of loading/ unloading operations.

The owner of the new crewboat, Norman McCall, commenting on the Blair McCall's five-engine installation, said: "It has been my philosophy to provide the most advanced and dependable vessels for the offshore oil industry." COMMODORE Marco Seattle Last year, Marco Seattle christened the 109-foot joint venture trawler F/V Commodore, built for the Storm Petrel Partnership. She is being used in fishing operations off Alaska.

The Commodore incorporates some features not usually found on a vessel her size. She features a bulbous bow and the patented Fulton articulating stern ramp first used on the 123-foot Storm Petrel. The ramp, which fully encloses the stern when nets are not being hauled, enhances crew safety.

The deck machinery package on the Commodore also includes three Marco net reels (two on the stern gantry and one at the forward end of the working deck), Gearmatic Model 35 and 44 gilson winches, and a Marco J0117 line hauler.

Power for the Commodore comes from a 1,810-hp Cat 3516 diesel.

The engine drives an 85-inch, fiveblade Coolidge prop set in a fixed nozzle for increased thrust. Auxiliary power comes from Cat and Cummins diesel generator sets which, along with the main engine, also provide hydraulic power.

EAGLE Moss Point Marine The 121-foot wildlife refuge support vessel Eagle was delivered by Moss Point Marine, Inc., Escatawpa, Miss., to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, last year.

Operating out of Homer, Alaska, the Eagle serves the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, a chain of islands and sea cliffs covering 3,500 miles of the Alaskan coastline to the middle of the Bering Sea.

She is used for bird, mammal and marine life research.

The $3.7-million vessel is powered by two Caterpillar 3412TA diesel engines driving through Twin Disc MG530M fixed/variable reduction gears. She is capable of 12 knots but will cruise at 8 to 10 knots.

Bristling with sophisticated electronic equipment, the Eagle is well equipped to track life on, above, and below the sea. Some scientific equipment aboard includes a recording thermosalinograph, water temperature sensor, and water quality monitor.

Also complementing the vessel are wet and dry laboratories, specimen freezers, a high-pressure air compressor for Scuba tanks, and the capability to land and fuel helicopters.

FAST COASTAL INTERCEPTOR Tempest Marine Last year, the U.S. Coast Guard took delivery of the first four of a new series of Fast Coastal Interceptors (FCI), 43V2 -foot offshore, highspeed chase boats, from Tempest Marine, Inc., of North Miami Beach, Fla.

The FCI craft, which will be used by the Coast Guard to fight illegal immigration and drug smuggling in the Florida coast area, feature a proven T-Torque drive system, which was developed by Tempest Marine specifically to furnish reliable surface-piercing drive that would be able to withstand the tremendous torque developed by their Caterpillar diesel engines during high-speed offshore operation. Each FCI is powered by a pair of turbocharged and aftercooled Caterpillar 3208TA diesel engines, which produce a combined 750 hp at 2,800 rpm. The FCI can reach a top speed of more than 43 knots.

The specially designed FCI boats provide the Coast Guard with the ability to maintain high speeds in extremely adverse offshore conditions.

This ability combined with the craft's long range provide a definite advantage in pursuit, rescue and other patrol situations.

FINLANDIA Cantiere Navali Ferrari The 88 Vi -foot harbor tug Finlandia was commissioned last year by her Italian owners Rimorchiatori Riuniti (RR) SpA, after her delivery by the La Spezia shipyard of Cantiere Navali Ferrari SpA (CNF). She is the first of a series of six vessels ordered from the yard by RR.

The tugs built by CNF in La Spezia are the first in the Mediterranean Sea to be equipped with an Aquamaster rudder propeller system.

The main and auxiliary engines were supplied by Motoren- Werke Mannheim AG (MWM).

MWM supplied 12 type SBV6M628 engines. These six-cylinder diesels are designed for a maximum power of 1,185 kw at 1,000 rpm. For operation in the RR's harbor tugs, the turbocharged and charge air-cooled diesels will provide 1,030 kw. With a total of 2,060 kw delivered by the twin-engine installations, the tugs will provide a static bollard pull of at least 40 tons.

Onboard power supply is provided by two Industrie Meccaniche Lombarde-built sets, which are equipped with KHD Deutz aircooled engines of the FL 912 series, and rated for an output power of 48 kva each. IML is an MWM sales company.

ISLAND CLASS PATROL BOAT Bollinger Machine Bollinger Machine Shop & Shipyard, Inc., Lockport, La., completed a 16-vessel contract last year, when they delivered the final Island Class patrol boat, WPB-1316, to the U.S.

Coast Guard.

The 110-foot patrol boat, with a beam of 21 feet and depth of 7.3 feet, is powered by a pair of 16- cylinder Paxman Valenta diesel engines.

The main propulsion engines drive through ZF reverse/reduction gears. She has a continuous operating speed of more than 26 knots.

Electrical power for the craft is provided by two 99-kw generators driven by Caterpillar 3304T diesels.

The Island Class patrol boat is based on a 110-foot hull design from Vosper-Thornycroft, UK, which was modified to meet the Coast Guard's needs and specifications.

ISLAND QUEEN II Munson Manufacturing Last year, Munson Manufacturing delivered the 36-foot workboat Island Queen II to the National Park Service's Fire Island National Seashore off Long Island, N.Y.

The boat is powered by twin VT-555 Big Cam engines supplied by Cummins Engine Company. The engines are each rated at 320 hp at 3,000 rpm. The vessel occasionally functions as a patrol boat, but her primary mission is to ferry and support Park Service personnel and divers involved in beach erosion research.

An unusual feature of the Island Queen II is her specially designed deicing system, something seldom found on a vessel of this size. The sea chest deicing system, operated with recirculating engine exhaust water, is designed for operating the boat when the bay freezes in the winter.

LCAC Textron Marine The addition of the LCAC (Landing Craft, Air Cushion) has greatly improved U.S. amphibious capabilities.

The craft gives the amphibious task force commander the flexibility to deploy heavy armor and equipment ashore from over-the-horizon at high speeds.

Weighing almost 150 tons, the LCAC is 88 feet long with a beam of 47 feet, and is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots, depending on sea state and payload. Four Avco-Lycoming TF40B gas turbine engines, rated at 3,955 shaft horsepower, drive four 63-inch-diameter centrifugal lift fans to produce the cushion of air inside the craft's rubberized nylon skirts, and two four-bladed 11.75-foot-diameter reversable variable pitch propellers are used for propulsion.

The LCAC can carry 60-ton equipment loads plus troops across reefs, or through underwater obstructions, shallow water, surf, beach-silted channels, etc.

Textron Marine Systems, New Orleans, La., recently delivered the first LCAC to an East Coast Naval base in Little Creek, Va. Six other LCACs are deployed to the West Coast Assault Craft Unit.

MATT S Marine Builders The new harbor switchboat Matt S was delivered by Marine Builders, Inc., Utica, Ind., to Marine Transportation Co., the sister company of Marine Builders, last year.

Named for the son of Marine Transportation's president David A. Evanczyk, the Matt S is 52 feet long, 22 feet wide and 7 feet 6 inches deep. It is the design of Marine Builders, who specialize in this type vessel, but are also known for the construction of excursion, passenger type-vessels. The vessel's two fourblade, 54-inch diameter Columbian Bronze propellers are powered by twin Cummins NTA-855-M marine diesels through Twin Disc MG- 514B reduction gears at a 5.16:1 ratio. A 35-kw Lima generator driven by a Cummins 4B3.9 diesel provides the electrics. All the engines were supplied by Cummins Cumberland, Inc., of Louisville, Ky.

OSPREY CLASS PATROL BOAT Danyard Last year, Danyard A/S of Denmark delivered the first of four Osprey 55 Class fast offshore patrol boats.

The new patrol boat is powered by two MAN B&W Diesel 12V 23/50 diesel engines, which were supplied by Alpha Diesel, Frederikshavn, Denmark, with 23V020 reduction gears, controllable-pitch propeller equipment and Alphatronic remote control.

On sea trials, the speed of the Osprey 55 Class craft was 20.2 knots. The engines were installed in the vessel, which is a new version of the Osprey 50 Class patrol boat, at an inclination of 7 to 8 degrees to accommodate the 7-foot, fourbladed CP propeller. This was necessary because of the long flat buttock run of the craft.

The 12V 23/30 was developed by Alpha Diesel from its V23L engine and the compact in-line L23/30 engine.

Cooperation between the design engineers at Danyard and Alpha Diesel led to an optimum usage of engine room space, while retaining easy access to the engines and gearboxes.

PT CLASS PATROL BOAT Singapore Shipbuilding Singapore Shipbuilding & Engineering, Ltd. (SSE) delivered the first of a series of seven PT Class patrol boats to the Government of Brunei Darussalam for the Royal Brunei Police Force.

This 48-foot fast patrol craft has a 14-foot breadth and a draft of 4 feet.

She is powered by twin MAN B&W D2840 LE diesel engines rated at 635 hp at 2,300 rpm, and can obtain speeds of 33 knots. She has a range of 310 nautical miles at a speed of 22 knots.

SSE has designed the PT Class patrol boat to operate in rough sea conditions with good stability. This type of craft is excellent for coastal surveillance, enforcement patrols and other coast guard-type applications.

Normally operated with a crew of seven, the PT Class fast patrol boat has a single chine planning hull incorporating a deep-Vee forward and a moderate dead rise aft. The hull is of all-welded aluminum construction with close framing.

SIR SEEWOOSAGUR Jansen Werft Jasen Werft of West Germany delivered the versatile tug Sir Seewoosagur to the Mauritius Marine Authority, last year. At present, she is operating around the small islands of the Mauritius archipelago.

The Sir Seewoosagur has an overall length of about 96 feet, breadth of 31V2 feet, and draft of 15 V2 feet.

Main propulsion is by two K.H.D.

type of SBV 6 M 628, engines with an output of 1,000 kw each at 900 rpm, running through two Voith- Schneider propellers.

The tug will also be operated as firefighting vessel, and therefore a corresponding system of pumps, monitors, etc., is installed. In addition, the vessel carries extensive antipollution equipment.

SMIT-LLOYD 56 De Groot en van Vliet The Smit-Lloyd 56, one of the first of a new class of tug/firefighting/ supply boats to enter service, was delivered last year by the Rotterdam yard of De Groot en van Vliet. She is presently supporting activities on the Dutch Continental Shelf under a two-year contract with NAM.

The multipurpose tug features a four-engine main propulsion layout—two Wartsila 1,500-hp engines and two 1,100-hp engines.

They have a bollard pull of 70 tons and have a total horsepower rating of 5,200.

This 50 Series vessl has two 400- hp bowthrusters, a 400-hp stern thruster and Class 1 firefighting outfit.

Multipurpose tanks enable the Smit-Lloyd 56 to carry muds, brine, fuel, drill water and a variety of cargoes.

The tanks are fitted with selfcleaning devices, and advanced electronic systems provide for full remote control from the engine room of all loading/discharge operations.

ST. DAVID Gladding-Hearn Last year, Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, The Duclos Corporation of Somerset, Mass., delivered the 53-foot steel and aluminum pilot/ search and rescue boat St. David to the Government of Bermuda in Hamilton.

The vessel features a Corten-steel hull and deck, with an aluminum alloy deckhouse. Crafted for rescue and boarding operations in severe weather conditions, the St. David is capable of withstanding a 360-degree rollover. Her rescue speed of 18 knots is provided by twin GM Detroit Diesel 12V-71N engines, each delivering 480 shaft horsepower at 2,300 rpm. The central helm features an elaborate array of electronics, offering the latest in navigation, radio, and depth-sounding equipment.

The St. David is equipped with Columbian Bronze propellers, Aquamet propeller shafts, Wagner steering and Morse controls.

TAHOMA Robert E. Derecktor Robert E. Derecktor of Rhode Island, Middletown, R.I., delivered the 270-foot medium endurance class cutter Tahoma (WMEC-908) to the U.S. Coast Guard, last year.

She is the fourth vessel completed under a nine-ship contract with the USCG.

The mission of the Tahoma, like her sister ships, is to perform multitask duties including search and rescue, law enforcement, marine environmental protection and military preparedness. The cutter features sensors to detect, track and identify vessels at long range and has flight decks for helicopters, thus increasing the vessel's range and versatility.

The Tahoma is powered by two 3,500-hp Alco diesel engines, and has a maximum speed of 19.5 knots.

The ship's service electricity is provided by two 475-kw Caterpillar gensets. With a displacement of 1,780 tons, the Tahoma has a beam of 38 feet and draft of 14 feet.

THERMOLINER Westamarin The 164-foot-long all-aluminum refrigerated catamaran Thermoliner was delivered last year by Swede Ship's Norwegian yard, Westamarin A/S of Mandal, to her shipowner Godstrans A/S, Honefoss. The reefer boat is used for the transportation of fresh fish from Scandanavia to ports on the English Channel, with return cargo of frozen food, fresh flowers and vegetables, etc.

This new concept catamaran, which was developed in close cooperation between the owner and Westamarin, offers a viable alternative to truck and air-freight carriage for coastal and feeder traffic to continental ports. Low crew costs, large and easily accessible cargo spaces, high speed, limited draft and onboard loading/unloading equipment are just a few of the reefer's advantages.

Main propulsion machinery for the Thermoliner are two MTU 16V 396TB84 diesel engines, each rated at 2,040 kw, driving two Speed Setter propellers.

TORPEDO WEAPONS RETRIEVER Marinette Marine The Torpedo Weapons Retriever (TWR) Class vessel is a totally new design developed by Marinette Marine Corporation, Marinette, Wis., for the U.S. Navy. The Navy uses these TWRs to recover spent torpedoes, missiles, small drones and mobile targets fired or utilized during weapons system tests of all submarines and combatant ships.

The TWR craft deck arrangement has been designed to facilitate rapid recovery of spent torpedos with an effective deck crane, aft ramp and torpedo transfer system. This arrangement can accommodate the storage of all types of Navy torpedoes.

The TWR has an overall length of 120 feet, breadth of 25 feet and molded depth of 12 feet. Her displacement is 174 long tons.

If needed, this versatile craft can function as a coastal or river patrol craft. With speeds in excess of 16 knots, and the addition of light armament, the TWR could be a formidable naval patrol boat.

USCG PATROL BOAT MonArk Boat Last year, the United States Coast Guard took delivery of a new twin-screw, high-speed patrol boat designed and built by MonArk Boat Company's Workboat Division in Monticello, Ark.

The 28-foot all-aluminum craft is powered by twin Volvo Penta diesel AQAD41/290 engines, each rated at 200 hp at 3,800 rpm. The vessel is capable of speeds of about 38 knots.

The patrol boat is used for patrol, search and rescue missions on Lake Champlain.

Her cabin is 8 feet by 12 feet and includes a forward berth and stowage area with ventilation provided by a 20-inch tinted transparent escape hatch. Cabin outfitting includes a pedestal mounted pilot's seat, a 36-inch bench stowage seat, chart/work table, full instrumentation, combination red/white interior lights, and cabin heat.

YARD PATROL CRAFT Marinette Marine The 108-foot Yard Patrol Craft (YP), built by Marinette Marine Corporation, Marinette, Wis., for the U.S. Navy is used for the training of midshipmen in seamanship, navigation and marine engineering at the Annapolis Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. and the Merchant Marine Academy in Newport, R.I.

The wooden hull of the YP is constructed of Douglas Fir, Alaska Yellow Cedar, Southern Yellow Pine, White Pine and Mahogany and has an aluminum superstructure. She is powered by two Detroit Diesel 12V- 71N diesel engines, rated at 437 bhp each. Her maximum speed is 12 knots. Her molded beam is about 22 feet 9 inches and full load draft is 5 feet 9 inches.

The craft is fitted with two Detroit Diesel DDAD 3-71 diesel generator engines with two 50-kw International Electric E-7168 generators.

The vessel also is equipped with an EPSCO Loran C and EPSCO plotting system, as well as a Magnavox SatNav/Omega system.