John W. Gilbert Associates

Past Projects

JWGA completed plans for a 92” LOA Scallop Processor for a Seaford Virginia Scallop Company. The arrangement of the vessel will allow for all catch to be boxed, flash frozen and stored in her freezer hold, bringing a better price per pound at the market. The vessel will be powered by a CAT 3412 rated 720 Horsepower @ 1800 RPM, coupled with a Twin Disc MG 540 reduction gear.

The Woods Hole/Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority put the Passenger Vehicle Ferry “M/V Nantucket” back into service in the Spring of 2008. JWGA provided design and engineering for the midlife retrofit of the vessel. Shipyard work was accomplished by Colonna’s Shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia. Renovations included a new passenger deck house for a larger concession and dining area, a new pilot house for improvements to security and all weather visibility, mezzanine deck passenger cabin modifications that allow for improvements in sheltering the passengers from the weather. Passenger evacuation measures were also improved by arranging the cabins more efficiently as well as adding marine evacuation slides, port and starboard. JWGA also redesigned the engine room ventilation system for a better supply and exhaust, a new anchor pocket and winch arrangement, new heating boilers and air conditioning system, freight deck structure modifications for improvements to loading and off loading as well as an increase of vehicle carrying capacity. Directions in Design (D.I.D) of St. Louis, Missouri provided the interior décor and lighting system design.

In May of 2008, the Guidry Brothers Towing/ Harvey Gulf International took delivery of the Ocean Tug “Warhorse II” built at Eastern Shipbuilding in Panama City, Florida. The vessel is the fourth JWGA designed Ocean Tug for Guidry Brothers Towing and is an addition to their 16,500 horsepower class fleet of towboats, the “Warhorse II” is 145’ x 45’ x 22-6”, ABS Classed, Maltese Cross A1 for ocean service. She is powered by a pair of EMD 20-710 engines coupled to Reintjes WAF5655 gear boxes driving 13’- 0” diameter Bird Johnson stainless steel propellers in type 19A nozzles. She is currently in operation in the Gulf of Mexico towing oil rigs and other heavy tows in the oil exploration and recovery industry.

Eastern Fisheries of New Bedford, Massachusetts took delivery of the 92’ Scalloper “F/V Wisdom”. The “Wisdom” is the 5th sister of the “F/V Neskone” and the 12th vessel that is a JWGA in their fleet. The “F/V Wisdom” is powered by a CAT 3508 rated 975 horsepower at 1600 rpm, coupled to a Reintjes WAF 561 reduction gear. She has accommodations for a compliment of 10. The “F/V Wisdom” was built at Duckworth Steel Boats in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

Coastal Transportation Inc. took delivery of the Aleutian Trade Vessels the Coastal Progress and Coastal Nomad. The cargo ships were converted supply vessels. Coastal Transportation came to John W. Gilbert Associates through its past work on similar vessels needing an increase in speed. We provided speed and power analysis, stability calculations, stability test and all construction plans for a new bulbous bow and stern extension. Our efforts in this project created vessels that go 3 knots faster, carry 80 long tons of additional freight, burn 20,000 gallons less fuel per trip and allow for up to 5 additional round trips per year between ports.

The P/V Carol Jean, a triple screw 175 ft LWL passenger vehicle ferry, was repowered with new 1200 hp Cummins engines. The project required extensive modifications not only to the engine systems, but to systems and structure throughout the vessel. The existing engines were removed and replaced as well as the skegs and struts. Other changes to the vessel included adjustments to the foundations, new exhaust systems, stack, electrical, shafting, engine cooling, engine room ventilation, fuel and lube oil system changes. A new sewage tank was also added and a new seating arrangement was created. The work on the Carol Jean is now complete with the vessel having gained four and a half knots in the process. She is back in service from Point Judith, RI to Block Island.

Wells Seafood Company took delivery of their second scalloper built at Duckworth Steel Boats in Tarpon Springs, Florida. This vessel is a sister to John W. Gilbert Associates Design D-286 the F/V Carolina Girl and is powered with a 650hp, Caterpillar 3412. Improvements to this design include subdivision standards to meet current regulatory requirements, a larger aft deck house for plate freezers and a shucking house and cutting table for the Captain.

Eastern Shipbuilding delivered a new John W. Gilbert Associates designed casino boat, Big M Casino, to its owners in March 2005. The 186’ LOA vessel carries 500 passengers and operates out of Ft. Myers Beach, FL. JWGA produced all calculations, plans, and specifications for construction by Eastern Shipbuilding and approval by the US Coast Guard. The firm created detailed drawings for all of the structure, machinery, mechanical systems, electrical, profiles and arrangements, and life safety. The Big M Casino includes two decks of casino gaming areas, one indoor and one outdoor dining area, three full service bars, and a live entertainment area. The luxurious boat also features extensive crew offices for the control and monitoring of all casino operations on board. The vessel will operate year round with several daily cruises.

The 105 ft. passenger ferry, Catalina Duchess, was purchased in August 2005 from Boston Harbor Cruises by Catalina Classic Cruises in San Diego, CA. The existing systems on the vessel were surveyed by John W. Gilbert Associates to assess the overall condition of the vessel and the level of appropriate changes necessary for the vessel to be upgraded from 150 passenger service to 300 passenger service. JWGA engaged in a thorough review and plan production strategy to gain approval by the USCG Marine Safety Center. Some of the major changes to the vessel included the installation of a structural fire protection throughout where there previously was none, a revamp of the electrical system, and the installation of an additional stair to the 01 deck. An inclining test has recently been performed on the vessel and she is currently in service in Catalina Island.

Another consulting job that has recently been finished is the exhaust stack addition for the passenger/vehicle ferry, Governor Curtis. After the work on the stacks was complete, the JWGA team performed a deadweight survey and stability analysis on the vessel. The Governor Curtis is back in service between Bar Harbor, ME and Maine.

The owner of the 88'-4" LWL Scallopers built in 2002 & 2003, Ranger and Resolution, commissioned John W. Gilbert Associates to alter the plans for the scalloper to a length of 86’-4”. The new vessel has a main engine to suit the license of the owner and also incorporates generator changes to meet new EPA emissions standards as well as other machinery changes in the area of HVAC equipment. A captain’s shucking house was also added to the design of the shorter vessel. This commercial fishing vessel operates out of New Bedford, MA. She has one 900 hp CAT 3508 main engine, two 72 kW CAT 3054 diesel generators, and one CAT C-18 hydraulic engine. She has accommodations for up to 11 crew members and a fish hold capacity of 5400 cubic ft.

JWGA completed updates to all of the shipboard mechanical and electrical systems for the sailing vessel Poincare in an effort to bring her into compliance with the USCG inspection requirements for 49 passenger service in and around Boston. The vessel underwent a number of changes at Boston Boat Works to accomplish the level of safety required by Subchapter T. Our office has generated all of the necessary plans for review and has performed a stability test on this vessel as well to determine the quantity of sail she may carry.

This 160 FT LOA Catamaran Passenger Vessel, P/V Jessica W. was purchased in Mexico in early 2004 by Cross Sound Ferry Services. JWGA prepared plans and calculations for changes to machinery, safety systems, and general arrangements. The scope of work was quite extensive including a re-powering with new engines, foundations, and exhaust; updates to the structural fire protection throughout the vessel; addition of an automatic sprinkler system; super structure additions; tonnage calculations; loading platform; electrical system; ride control system; sliding water-tight doors; bilge system; shift of fuel tanks; emergency generator room and emergency generator addition; engineer control room addition; changes to the seating arrangements and food services area; rescue boat davit modifications and new rescue boat. The firm also performed tonnage calculations, a stability analysis with a deadweight survey, and also completed life saving and safety plans for the renovated ferry. The vessel began service between New London, CT and Block Island in August 2004.

The 134'-0" LOA F/V Sea Watcher was completed at Patti Shipyard in Pensacola, FL in October 2004. The clam dredge vessel's hull was designed by John W. Gilbert Associates, with most of the detailed engineering completed in-house at Patti. The Sea Watcher is owned by Truex Enterprises and operates out of Mayetta, NJ. This single screw vessel can carry 132 clam cages.

Another clam dredge vessel was recently completed and delivered to Truex Enterprises. This 122'-0" LOA vessel, F/V Starlight, was launched in April of 2004 at Eastern Shipbuilding, inclined by JWGA in June, and delivered to New Jersey in July. This clam dredge vessel has a capacity to carry 102 cages and accommodations for 6 men. The 1100 hp main engine drives a single screw.

The 88'-4" LWL F/V Ranger and her sister, the F/V Resolution were delivered in 2003. The scallopers will operate out of New Bedford, MA. Each vessel has one 1100 hp CAT 3512 main engine, two 72 kW CAT 3054 diesel generators, and one CAT 3406 hydraulic engine. They have accommodations for up to 11 crew members and have a fish hold capacity of 5400 cubic ft.

The Grand Republic was launched in May 2003 at Eastern Shipbuilding in Panama City, FL. She is the sister to the P.T. Barnum, which was delivered in 1999. The 300' passenger/vehicle ferry is in service between Bridgeport, CT and Port Jefferson, NY.

JWGA developed plans for the midlife retrofit of the passenger/vehicle ferry New London. A fifty foot section of midbody was added giving the vessel an overall length of 260 feet. This project was completed in February 2003 and the vessel returned to service in Connecticut. Other recent deliveries include a fiberglass water-jet driven whale watch boat in Kennebunkport, ME.

There has been a significant concentration of repowering work for John W. Gilbert Associates in the recent past. Three passenger ferries, the J.J. Callis, the Shahan II and the Daniel Salmon, were repowered for Department of Homeland Security FSSI Plum Island Animal Disease Control in New York. The higher speed of these ferries has been a major asset for the facility. The owners are also pleased that the fuel consumption has remained the same as before the repowering despite the increase in horsepower and also the vessel consumes less lube oil. The M/V Adirondack also underwent a repowering on Lake Champlain in Vermont. This is another older vessel, like the M/V Cape Henlopen that has seen many renovations over the years. The 130 ft double-ended ferry was originally built in 1913 and was powered by a coal-fired steam engine. After several changes, the vessel was brought to Lake Champlain, VT and had two Detroit Diesel 12V71 engines installed in 1970. We are currently replacing those engines with CAT 3412D 540 HP engines. The M/V Adirondack is the oldest in service double-ended American ferryboat of all time.

Plans for a change to the steering gear on the M/V Susan Anne have been completed by JWGA. This change will require additions to the hull sides in way of the steering apparatus to allow additional room within the compartment for the new assembly.

Other consulting work that our firm has completed is fitting the P/V Susan Anne with an elevator that will be replicated on Cross Sound Ferry's M/V John H.

A fascinating project that we were fortunate to have the opportunity to be involved with is a structural change to the bow section of the P/V Cape Henlopen. The Cape Henlopen Ferry was built as a World War II landing ship (LST 510) in Jeffersonville, Indiana and participated in the D-day invasion at Normandy. In 1966, it was converted to a passenger and auto ferry and served on the Lewes, Delaware - Cape May, New Jersey Route. It was purchased in 1983 by Cross Sound Ferry and underwent a total refurbishment before entering service. When the vessel was originally converted to a ferry from an LST, the ramp used to get landing craft onto shore was retained and the bow doors were welded closed to form the existing bow. A new main deck and bow door were added above for the ferry service. Over time, the remaining ramp deck and articulating ramp support became difficult to maintain. In an effort to improve the compartment, the old ramp and some other pre-existing structure has been removed and JWGA was tasked with the design of the new structural details which will tie into what is leftover of the original structure.

A variety of stability related consulting jobs are on-going in the office. Several fishing vessels have recently been inclined in an effort to determine their lightship after years of service. In the instances where the vessel's do not comply with the 79' USCG commercial fishing vessel rules, we have sought to improve the stability via fixed ballast or adjustments to tank usage. We always recommend that the owner's take measures to comply with the USCG rules no matter whether the vessel is of 79' registered length or less. In most instances, the owners can get an insurance benefit by meeting these criteria as well.

Also, a deadweight survey of a Mississippi River Restaurant Barge and a passenger vehicle ferry were performed in an effort to gain accurate stability data for the vessels and to gain assurance that both vessels meet all pertinent State or USCG requirements. The deadweight survey results from the M/V Park City will also be used as part of the trim correction and speed/power analysis that we are currently conducting.

John W. Gilbert Associates has also been involved in an in-house speed power study for offshore oil supply vessels. The study was initiated by a perceived need in the industry for higher speed vessels relative to the dimensional parameters and function of these types of vessels.

Some photos on this site appear courtesy of Cross Sound Ferry