Post by yvr on Oct 4, 2010 20:35:24 GMT -8
We all remember the problems The Washington Group's Vancouver shipyard had producing the new B.C. Ferry, Island Sky. Well it appears they've solved their vessel production problems. The Seaspan division of the Washington group is having four new tractor tugs manufactured in Turkey. No need to have our own boys build them, it's cheaper to have "Turkey Tugs" .
But wait - what will the idle boys at Dennis's shipyard do - well lets have them work on other Dennis Washington items. We'll get them to rebuild a railway car for Montana Rail Link!
This sounds like a make work project if I ever heard one!
(Stories and links)
www.marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMIX/2010sep00284.html
September 28, 2010
Seaspan orders four new tugs for Vancouver Harbor
North Vancouver, B.C., based Washington Marine Group member Seaspan International is splashing out on its largest tug build commitment of a single class of vessels in over 35 years.
It company recently signed a contract with Sanmar Denizcilik Shipyard, of Istanbul Turkey; to build four state-of-the-art ship assist tugs. The prime duties for these tugs will be to dock, undock and escort ships in Vancouver Harbor and Roberts Bank.
The RAstar 28 m tugs, designed by Vancouver based naval architect firm Robert Allan Ltd., will feature full fire fighting capability and upon arrival will be amongst the most powerful vessels to sail British Columbia's waters.
The first vessel is scheduled to arrive by the end of this year; while the remaining three tugs will be delivered in the summer and late fall of 2011.
"We are excited to announce this fleet enhancement to our employees, the BC marine industry and the community at large," said Jonathan Whitworth, Washington Marine Group CEO. "The benefits of a purchase of this type are numerous, including the rebuilding and modernization of our fleet, and increased safety and capabilities for all ship escorts performed in the Vancouver Harbor. As recently reported, the Port has an immediate need for more modern and powerful tugs to assist the growing number of tankers within the Port. Seaspan recognized this growing concern, and I'm extremely pleased to report that we took the necessary steps to assist Port Metro Vancouver and the BC Coast Pilots in providing the solution."
Mr. Whitworth noted that recent sales tax changes and very favorable exchange rates created a "golden opportunity" the company just couldn't pass up. "Because of these two factors alone, we were able to increase the purchase size from an initial three boats to the eventual four boat order," he said
LOA: 92'-6" (28.2 m)
ENGINE POWER: 2 x 2500 BHP @ 1600 RPM
BOLLARD PULL 70 TONNES + 80 TONNES
SPEED 13.0 KNOTS
CLASS NOTATIONS ABS, III A 1, E, AMS, ABCU, TOWING VESSEL, Escort Support FI-FI 1
RAIL CAR STORY:
www.wcra.org/railwaynews/October2010.pdf
MONTANA RAIL LINK TWIN UNIT COACH
A Montana Rail Link twin unit coach (articulated) is undergoing interior renovation in North
Vancouver at Vancouver Shipyards. The “car” arrived on a BNSF freight July 14 and was
transferred to SRY, where it was loaded on a barge and moved to North Vancouver. (SDHSE)
But wait - what will the idle boys at Dennis's shipyard do - well lets have them work on other Dennis Washington items. We'll get them to rebuild a railway car for Montana Rail Link!
This sounds like a make work project if I ever heard one!
(Stories and links)
www.marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMIX/2010sep00284.html
September 28, 2010
Seaspan orders four new tugs for Vancouver Harbor
North Vancouver, B.C., based Washington Marine Group member Seaspan International is splashing out on its largest tug build commitment of a single class of vessels in over 35 years.
It company recently signed a contract with Sanmar Denizcilik Shipyard, of Istanbul Turkey; to build four state-of-the-art ship assist tugs. The prime duties for these tugs will be to dock, undock and escort ships in Vancouver Harbor and Roberts Bank.
The RAstar 28 m tugs, designed by Vancouver based naval architect firm Robert Allan Ltd., will feature full fire fighting capability and upon arrival will be amongst the most powerful vessels to sail British Columbia's waters.
The first vessel is scheduled to arrive by the end of this year; while the remaining three tugs will be delivered in the summer and late fall of 2011.
"We are excited to announce this fleet enhancement to our employees, the BC marine industry and the community at large," said Jonathan Whitworth, Washington Marine Group CEO. "The benefits of a purchase of this type are numerous, including the rebuilding and modernization of our fleet, and increased safety and capabilities for all ship escorts performed in the Vancouver Harbor. As recently reported, the Port has an immediate need for more modern and powerful tugs to assist the growing number of tankers within the Port. Seaspan recognized this growing concern, and I'm extremely pleased to report that we took the necessary steps to assist Port Metro Vancouver and the BC Coast Pilots in providing the solution."
Mr. Whitworth noted that recent sales tax changes and very favorable exchange rates created a "golden opportunity" the company just couldn't pass up. "Because of these two factors alone, we were able to increase the purchase size from an initial three boats to the eventual four boat order," he said
LOA: 92'-6" (28.2 m)
ENGINE POWER: 2 x 2500 BHP @ 1600 RPM
BOLLARD PULL 70 TONNES + 80 TONNES
SPEED 13.0 KNOTS
CLASS NOTATIONS ABS, III A 1, E, AMS, ABCU, TOWING VESSEL, Escort Support FI-FI 1
RAIL CAR STORY:
www.wcra.org/railwaynews/October2010.pdf
MONTANA RAIL LINK TWIN UNIT COACH
A Montana Rail Link twin unit coach (articulated) is undergoing interior renovation in North
Vancouver at Vancouver Shipyards. The “car” arrived on a BNSF freight July 14 and was
transferred to SRY, where it was loaded on a barge and moved to North Vancouver. (SDHSE)