Page 21: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 2001)

Cruise Shinninn Annual Shin Renair

U.S. Lines' MS Patriot Challenges Cascade General

Since 1999, when American Classic

Voyages (AMCV) first announced its intention to construct two U.S.-flagged cruise ships that would be staffed by

American officers and crew, the U.S. shipbuilding industry received a boost back into an area that it had not partici- pated for almost 30 years - the cruise shipping market. Prior to the construc- tion of the two vessels by Litton Ingalls

Shipbuilding, AMCV wanted to start making money right away — it pur- chased the 17-year-old ms Nieuw Ams- terdam for $114.5 million from Holland

America. AMCV then received an offi- cial notice from Congress that provided exemption from the Jones Act, thus allowing the U.S. Coast Guard to re-flag the foreign registered vessel.

Before being repositioned to its new itinerary in the Hawaiian Islands, Patriot required a new look — a look that would exemplify its stature as the line's pre- miere vessel. Performing this daunting task in just five weeks was Portland shipyard, Cascade General, which pro- vided all drydock and conversion work on the 704 ft. (214.6 m) vessel in time for its inaugural cruise on December 6, 2000.

The Cascade team preps for the vessel's refit.

Advanced planning and intense preci- sion by Cascade General ensured that all work would commence in four specific areas the minute the ship arrived in Port- land: new bow and stern thrusters, con- version of three public spaces to suit the

Hawaiian market, complete refit with

Coast Guard-approved safety equipment and identity change.

During its 17-day stay at the yard's 982 ft. (299.3 m) drydock number four.

Patriot's two C.P. propellers were dis- mantled. The hubs were overhauled and the blades polished and its starboard shaft was pulled for inspection by

Lloyd's officials. Line-shaft bearings were also inspected. Pintle bearing clearances were measured, the steering gear serviced and more than 100 anodes replaced. All of Patriot's sea valves were examined. The vessel's 20-ton anchor was replaced and its chain ranged and marked.

Computer simulations tested the suit-

February, 2001 ability of the 33,800 gt ship's existing pair of 750 kW thrusters for potential conditions in the Hawaiian Islands. The tests showed that additional thruster power would significantly improve maneuverability and safety, especially in outlying ports or when trade winds picked up. Any addition that was made in this area had proven to be trouble- some because of the small presence of

MS Patriot underwent a five-week conversion at

Cascade General. (All photos are © Cascade General, Inc.) mm

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