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by John Snyder Over the last 30 years, the logos of many once-proud East Coast shipyards have cracked and faded from the waterfront, replaced by signs for upscale condos or marinas—and in one case, a possible furniture retailer superstore. But commercial shipbuilding along the Atlantic Coast is far from dead. The emergence of relatively new shipyard operations in such places as Bridgeport, Conn., Quonset Point, R.I., and Philadelphia has not only changed some minds, but also turned some heads. A case in point is the delivery of the first Alaska Marine Highway System fast vehicle ferry by Derecktor Shipyards Bridgeport. The 235-foot x 60-foot Fairweather is not only the first all-aluminum high-speed vehicle and passenger ferry built in the U.S., but also the first vehicle ferry built in the U.S. to comply with the stringent International High Speed Craft code. “This is a huge hurdle to overcome and a milestone for Derecktor and the U.S. shipbuilding industry,” Gavin Higgins, Derecktor’s COO told Marine Log. Derecktor’s accomplishment is particularly impressive when you consider that it built the ferry while constructing and expanding a new shipyard on the 23-acre site in Bridgeport. At the Fairweather’s christening, Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski said Derecktor Shipyards did “a fantastic job of building the Fairweather. My thanks go out to all the shipyard workers and equipment suppliers, but let me personally and publicly thank the shipyard president Paul Derecktor and the Chief Operating Officer Gavin Higgins for making this day possible. There is an old saying in the shipbuilding business, that a ship is only as good as its builder. In the case of the Fairweather, we are very fortunate to have contracted with this most talented and dedicated shipbuilding team!” The first of two FVFs being built by Derecktor for AMHS, the Fairweather was designed by the U.K.’s Nigel Gee and Associates. It will be able to carry 250 passengers and 30 “Alaska” road legal vehicles in its single vehicle deck. The FVF will be able to load via a stern ramp and discharge via a side bow door. Additionally, a 14 ft 6 in deck clearance will allow the carriage of tractor trailers. The FVF is classed by DNV +1A1 HSLC R3 +SOLAS/HSC. According to Gary Smith, AMHS’ FVF program manager, the Fairweather “rode beautifully” during owner’s sea trials. At full load, carrying 200 deadweight tons, the FVF reached a speed of 38 knots—two knots above the original contract design speed at full load. “The boat has performed brilliantly,” says Higgins. “It’s lighter than our weight estimate. That’s a product of our invest in engineering and research. In light condition on builder’s trials it did an average of 42.5 knots.” In addition, as a result of the FVF project, Derecktor Shipyards is now one of only four companies and the only shipyard in the U.S. certified to train mariners for the High Speed Craft code. Smith says, “Derecktor is providing the crew and paying the bill for the fuel” during the three-week delivery acceptance voyage to Juneau. The Fairweather was expected to depart from Bridgeport in late February and make stops in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Panama, Acapulco, Mexico, San Diego and Seattle before arriving in Juneau. The introduction of the Fairweather and the construction of its sister, the Chenega, also may bode well for Derecktor in the military ship market, where it is competing to build the U.S. Army’s high-speed Theater Support Vessel (TSV). |
