“AMH SeaCoaster”, the 31.2 metre long surface-effect catamaran that will be used to demonstrate advanced hull-form technology to the United States Office of Naval Research (ONR), was christened at a ceremony at Austal’s Mobile, Alabama shipyard on October 1.
Monsignor Warren Wall of St. Ignatius parish in Mobile performed the invocation, benediction and ship’s blessing at the ceremony which was attended by guests including US Congressman Jo Bonner, Admiral Jay Cohen (Chief of Naval Research), Congressman Sonny Callahan, Mike Collins (President of American Marine Holdings, the ship’s owner) and Tom Bender (CEO, Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co.).
The traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne over the vessel’s bows was ably performed by Mrs. Karen Callahan, wife of former Congressman Sonny Callahan.
“AMH SeaCoaster”, Austal’s Hull 612 and the eighth vessel to be built at Austal’s purpose-built aluminum shipbuilding facility in the United States, was subsequently launched early on October 3.
The ship is being built for American Marine Holdings, which has been awarded a contract to demonstrate its licensed technology SeaCoaster design to ONR. ONR coordinates, executes and promotes the science and technology programs of the Navy and Marine Corps as well as providing technical advice to the Chief of Naval Operations and the Secretary of the Navy.
The patented SeaCoaster catamaran design features cavities in the bottom of each hull into which air is blown providing lift to the vessel, reducing resistance, and thus allowing higher speeds to be obtained. Designer-inventor Don Burg expects speeds of up to 56 knots. Following its successful evaluation by ONR, American Marine Holdings expects various departments of the US military to decide on potential applications for the air-inducted technology and possibly order additional vessels for specific uses.
American Marine Holdings President, Mr. Mike Collins, said Austal was selected to build the vessel for ONR due to its expertise in aluminum vessel construction.
“Austal USA brings to this market a new dimension in high speed marine transport, utilizing the company’s leading edge technology and construction capabilities that were not previously available to US customers,” he said.
