Best Vessels: Distinctive deliveries of 2021
Written by Nick Blenkey
SSG Michael H. Ollis (Credit: Eastern Shipbuilding Group)
Olive Parker: First Parker Towing vessel from C&C Marine & Repair
Constructed based on a collaborative design by Parker Towing and CT Marine LLC of Portland, Maine, the 4,400-horsepower towboat M/V Olive Parker is the first vessel built for Tuscaloosa, Ala.-headquartered Parker Towing Company by Belle Chasse, La., shipbuilder C&C Marine and Repair.
Measuring 147.5 by 34 by 10 feet, 9 inches and with a 33 foot high pilothouse eyeline, the vessel is powered by two owner-furnished CAT 3516B main engines, paired with two Reintjes WAF 873 HL-HR reduction gears supplied by Karl Senner LLC. Service power is provided by two John Deere 6068 AFM 85, 150 kW generators. The conventional steering system hydraulic power unit, along with the alarm and monitoring system, were provided by Eagle Control Systems. The towboat’s two 100-inch diameter stainless-steel fixed pitch propellers were provided by Sound Propeller Systems Inc.
The towboat’s accommodations offer a total of 10 beds, with the complete joiner system being provided by Kern Martin Services Inc.
The navigation and communication package, provided by Wheelhouse Electronics, includes Furuno radar equipment, transducer, satellite compass, AIS system and loud hailer, as well as a Standard VHF radio, Alphatron swingmeter, Young weather sensor, and Intellian Satellite TV antenna. The vessel is also equipped with two Carlisle & Finch 1,000-Watt searchlights.
The towboat is outfitted with a pair of Nabrico 60-ton winches, and a through-the-deck capstan from Schoellhorn-Albrecht.
For additional crew safety, the Olive Parker is equipped with a Novec 1230 “Clean Agent” fire suppression system. The fire detection and suppression system were both provided and installed by the Herbert Hiller Company.
FB-21 and FB-73: Fast new fireboats join Miami-Dade Fire Rescue
Delivered earlier this year, FB-21 and FB-73 are the first of three new welded-aluminum 50 Defiant monohull pilothouse fireboats built by Jeanerette, La.-headquartered shipbuilder Metal Shark for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. The 55- by 17.5-foot vessels will replace existing vessels, offering faster speeds and shorter response times, greater pumping volume increasing firefighting effectiveness, and a next-generation design improving efficiency while affording greater safety to firefighters.
Powered by twin V8, 16-liter, 1,200 hp. MAN D2862 LE456 inboard diesel engines coupled to Marine Jet Power (MJP) 350X waterjets via ZF 500 transmissions, they can reach a top speed in excess of 44 knots.
The vessels may be operated from three different stations; each equipped for pinpoint maneuvering in close quarters situations.
A fully-automatic Zipwake dynamic trim and ride control system enhances vessel performance, economy, comfort, stability and safety.
The new fireboats deliver a flow rate in excess of 8,500 GPM, with twin Darley ZFE 3000 self-priming fire pumps driven via PTO from the main engines. Each pump draws from its own dedicated in-hull sea chest, feeding a central manifold with crossover capability, which in turn supplies the entire system.
From the fire control station at the port helm, flow is directed as desired via electronically-actuated 8-inch valves. The vessels are each equipped with a remote-operated Elkhart Spitfire electric rooftop monitor, two Elkhart Copperhead aft-mounted monitors, two aft dual handline outlets, forward and aft 5-inch Storz hydrant outlets, and a 3-inch outlet at the bow to accommodate an “Extenda Gun” from Task Force Tips.
Dual 55-gallon reservoirs carry a total of 110 gallons of aqueous film-forming foam per vessel.
The vessels have advanced Raymarine electronics suite with multifunction displays that also display the feed from the gyro-stabilized Forward Looking InfraRed M400 XR multi-sensor thermal night vision camera with firefighting mode, which defines target temperatures and isotherms to aid firefighters in battling blazes.
Angels Navigator and Angels Pilot: Twin pilot boats join Los Angeles Pilot Service
Built by Vigor’s Vancouver, Wash., shipyard, two new 55- by 16-foot Camarc-designed pilot boats now in service with the Los Angeles Pilot Service, Angels Pilot and Angels Navigator, feature a twin chine heavy weather hull form for excellent seakeeping. The design accommodates multiple heavy fender systems facilitating safer pilot transfers in challenging weather. An articulated rescue davit provides man overboard recovery.
Powered by twin Caterpillar C18 ACERT engines, each rated at 803 bhp @ 2,100 rpm, they have a top speed of 27 knots.
Mackay Marine was selected by Vigor as its marine electronics integration expert for both vessels, providing high-end Furuno navigation systems such as the Navnet 3D TZT2 series Multi-Function Display System, with ancillary navaids including GPS, AIS, and Loudhailer.
Mackay was also the provider for the boats’ FLIR Thermal Camera, Icom VHF radios, ACR EPIRB, and Wilson weBoost Cell Phone Booster System.
The complete integrated Furuno helm suites include a Furuno NavPilot 711C Autopilot configured to work flawlessly with the Jastram Steering System aboard the twin-rudder-equipped pilot boats.
NavPilot 711C’s dynamic adjustment of essential parameters during navigation is stored in system memory and continuously optimized to make the system more versatile.
Categories: Ferries, Passenger, Shipyard News, Shipyards
