Page 71: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2012)

August 2012 www.marinelink.com 71after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit causing the deaths of more than 316,000 people, and injuring an estimated300,000 more. The ship has a length of 894 feet with a displacement of 69, 360tons, and a patient capacity of 1000 bedswith 12 operating rooms. It is the secondMercy-class hospital ship to join the Navy fleet. Some of the work performed on the USNS Comfort at the Boston fa- cility included:Blasting and painting the hull Blasting and coating various ballast tanksBlasting and coating anchor chains Overhauling the vessels HP and LP turbinesOverhaul of sea valves Ventilation cleaning Replacement of various doors Boiler overhauls Switchboard cleaning Thermographic surveys Pump replacement and repairs Life raft overhauls. ?We do mostly government work with about 80 percent being government and the balance being commercial and indus-trial. Most of our work is Military Sealift Command, and also military ships thatare operated by commercial companies.We have also worked with various cruise lines companies as well. Dry docks thissize are far and few between these days? said Mr. Snyder. ?If you tried to build a similar dry dock today it would be im- possible both cost wise, and in dealingwith environmental permits.? ?One of the main focuses of Northeast Ship Repair isin providing standards for personal safety and health at all the facilities.? ?We preach safety here far and above anything else.? Gladding-Hearn Delivers 34m CatA 34m Catamaran Passenger Ferry, Ava Pearl, designed by Incat Crowther and built by Gladding-Hearn Ship- building, was delivered to Rhode Is- land Fast Ferry, where it will contribute to an expansion of opera- tions. As a long-time operator of Incat Crowther ferries, Rhode Island Fast Ferry turned to Gladding Hearn andIncat Crowther to develop and build a ferry with twin engines and propellers,with a view to more efficient opera- tion. Ava Pearl has entered service, re- placing the former Boston HarborCruises vessel Millennium on the ferry run between Quonset Point andMartha?s Vineyard. This has freed up Millennium to increase its sightseeingcruise operation, which will now run daily. Ava Pearl is powered by two MTU 12V4000 M53 main engines, eachproducing 1850hp. In recent trials, itachieved a loaded speed of 31.5 knots and has a top speed of 33 knots.Ava Pearl features 130 seats on the main deck, configured at tables. A large bar is situated aft, with ample luggage racks and toilet spaces. The upper deck features 81 seats in for- ward-facing configuration, with fur- ther seats located outdoors on the aftdeck.MR#8 (66-73) REAL:MR Template 8/9/2012 11:36 AM Page 71