Berthing barge seen beneath tow from the shipyard. [U.S. Navy photograph]
Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, La., stories that the U.S. Navy has awarded it the detailed design and development contract for the sixth Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL(S)) 67 Class berthing and messing barge. Construction will happen at Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., and is anticipated to start within the second quarter of 2023.
“We are honored to be entrusted by the U.S. Navy to build the sixth APL berthing barge,” stated Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “This contract is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team at Bollinger, and our commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable vessels that meet the Navy’s rigorous standards. We look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with the Navy and delivering this critical asset to support our national defense.”
The earlier 5 APLs have been constructed by VT Halter Marine, which Bollinger acquired in late 2022. Halter obtained the preliminary contract in 2018.
APLs are utilized by the Navy to accommodate crewmembers when ships are in port for availabilities and Inter-Deployment Training Cycles. The barges are cellular and might be towed to new bases or shipyards to assist altering fleet necessities and in addition provide potential use for humanitarian missions and different non permanent assignments.
APLs are 269 toes lengthy, 69 toes broad and have a draft of seven toes. Each vessel is supplied with places of work, lecture rooms, washrooms, laundry amenities, medical therapy areas, a barber store and health middle. With mess seating for 224 enlisted personnel and 28 officers, every meal is served by way of 5 20-minute shifts to permit meals service for 1,130 personnel (three meals per day). The vessels are fitted with blended gender berthing areas for 74 officers and 537 enlisted personnel, for a complete of 611 individuals.
