f you think things are busy this sum- mer at Austal USA, just check back

in a year or so.
    The Mobile, Ala.-based shipyard is currently  building  a high-speed sur- face-effect catamaran that will be used to demonstrate advanced hull-form technology for the U.S. Office of Naval Research, has begun work on the first of   two roll-on/roll-off ferries for Hawaii,  and  is finalizing expansion plans to accommodate construction of two littoral combatships   for  the  Navy.
      The 102’X33’ ONR demonstrator, being built for American Marine Holdings LLC, Miami, is based on the SeaCoaster  military vessel  design  from


Don Burg of Air Ride Craft Inc. (American Marine is a licensee of the SeaCoaster technology.) After an extensive testing program by ONR, the vessel  will  likely be converted to  a high-speed ferry.
    The SeaCoaster design features cavi- ties in each hull into which air is blown. This reduces resistance and permits high- er speeds. The vessel has a draft of about 6’, but that is cut in half once the air blowers are turned on and lift the vessel.
    “It’s a fast cargo craft,” said Bill Pfister, vice president of government programs at Austal. “We expect it to do 56  knots  light  and the mid-40s loaded.”
    With    a   $5   million  grant  from  the


a success, the plan is to go bigger and market the vessel commercially as a fast ferry or fast crewboat. The U.S. Military may also decide to order addi- tional vessels after evaluating potential applications for air-inducted technolo- gy
    Delivery is expected in October, about three months ahead of schedule.
    Also underway at Austal is the first of up two 345'6"X78' high-speed passenger/vehicle ferries for Hawaii Superferry. The ferries will have room for 866 passengers and 282 cars (or 28 40-foot trucks and 65 cars). Propulsion will be supplied by four MAN B&W 20V RK280 engines producing 10,730


The high-speed cat's hull was flipped recently at Austal.

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Navy, Austal and American Marine went to work to fine-tune Burg's design and come up with a suitable power and equip- ment package. "We took Don's lines and then went from there, said Pfister.
    For propulsion, four Cat C32 engines that each produce 1,420 hp at 2,300 rpm were chosen. They turn four ZF Trimax T4000 surface- piercing propellers.
    "I think we have the maximum amount of power we can fit into this hull," said Pfister. "The Navy is into speed and power."
    Pfister said that if the   demonstator   is

hp each. The engines will turn four Kamena 125 S11 waterjets through ZF 53000-2 gears. Expected service speed is 35 knots.
    The ferry and cat are currently taking up all of the space in Austal's existing 360'X93' covered shed, and more room is needed to accommodate LCS con- struction set to begin in October 2005.
   Pfister said he's almost certain that the Navy will proceed with it's plans for four LCSes, with two to be built at Austal. (LCS funding was recently beefed up in the final Defense Department budget.)
   "It's the Navy's intention to go ahead with it," said Pfister. "I'm pretty confi- dent they will do all four boats."
      In   anticipation,   Austal    is    going ahead with palns to build a new 400'X134' shed that will be able to accommodatetwo LCSes side by side. Pfister  said  construction is tentatively set to begin in October. The  Navy's goal is to build up to 60 LCSes.
   With  all  of  this  construction, Austal is also seeking more employees. The company may eventually need addi- tional 350-450 workers. Austal current- ly has 150 employees.   -- David Krapf

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