Navy exercises option with VT Halter Marine for third berthing barge

VT Halter Marine Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., has been awarded a $39,808,087 modification to a previously awarded contract to exercise an option for the detail design and construction of an Auxiliary Personnel Lighter – Small (APL(S)).

The initial contract with the shipbuilder was for the detail design and construction of the lead and second craft in the APL(S) 67 class; this option is for the first of four additional craft.

U. S. Navy APL(S) Barracks Craft (berthing barges) are used by the Navy to house crewmembers when ships are under repair or modification. The Navy’s APL(S) are mobile and can be towed to new bases or shipyards to support changing fleet requ irements and also offer potential use for humanitarian missions and other temporary assignments.

The new vessels will be 82 meters long x 20.95 meters wide x 2.2 meters draft. Each vessel will be fitted with mixed gender berthing spaces for 74 officers and 537 enlisted personnel, for a total of 611 people. Additionally, the vessels will be capable of seating 228 enl isted personnel and 56 officers for each meal. Suitably sized food storage, preparation, and serving facilities are also included. Each vessel is equipped with offices, classrooms, washrooms, laundry facilities, medical treatment areas, a barber shop, and a fitness center.

The contract also includes options for associated support efforts related to the craft design and construction for deployment spare parts, crew familiarization, international delivery, and production-level technical data package including data rights.

Work is expected to be completed by November 2020. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $39,808,087 is being obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.

The initial contract was for the detail design and construction of the lead and second craft in the APL(S) 67 class; this option is for the first of four additional craft.