WorkBoat looks back: November 1964, 1974, 1984

November 1964

A contract for the construction of two steel 300-passenger ferries has been awarded to Blount Marine Corp., Warren, R.I., by the Puerto Rico Ports Authority of San Juan. The ferries, to operate in San Juan harbor, will offer commuter service between the city of San Juan and the town of Catano.

The Washington Tug & Barge Co., Seattle, has announced plans for the construction of a 30-car railroad barge for the Canadian National Railways service between Prince Rupert, British Columbia, and Whittier, Alaska. The company also has plans for a 120' tug to tow the barge.

The first commercial-type hydrofoil boat to appear on San Francisco Bay recently made its successful debut, attaining a crusing speed of 50 mph in tests held off Trasure Island.

The boat was designed and built by FMC Corp., San Jose, Calif.

November 1974

The opening of the first general terminal in Nashville, Tenn., was celebrated on Oct. 29. In attendance at the new Herbert Materials Marine Terminal were several local, state, and national politicians; officials of T.L. Herbert & Sons Inc., the owner; and a sizeable crowd of invited guests. The new terminal features Nashville's first permanent harbor boat, the 50'x22'x7' Martha Anne, built by Scully Brothers, Morgan City, La.

David A. Wright, president of National Marine Service Inc., St. Louis, has urged Congress to review and reduce the $5 million penalty ceiling for marine spills of non-removable pollutants.

A $16 million contract for the construction of 250 LASH barges has been signed by Prudential Lines Inc., and Equitable Equipment Co. With the completion of current contracts, Equitable will have built 1,630 LASH barges.

November 1984

Marinette Marine Corp., Marinette, Wis., has been awarded a contract by the Naval Sea Systems Command for the construction of six yard patrol (YP) craft. The boats will be utilized by the Navy at its Annapolis, Md., training academy for instruction of cadets in seamanship, navigation, and marine engineering diciplines. The initial six- boat contract is valued at $24 million, but if all options are exercised, total contract value would be in excess of $78 million.

A pair of compact workboats have recently been delivered by Balehi Marine Inc., Lacombe, La. The boats are dredge tenders for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The Dare measures 26'x12'x3.75' and has a draft of 3'6". The Buxton Jr., measures 40'x14'x6' with a 4'6" draft. Each boat is powered by Detroit Diesel 671s.