Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has taken delivery of the 87 Ft. Cruise Ship Tender "La SANTA MARIA". The two-deck vessel was designed by Naval Architects DeJong & Lebet, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida, and was built by Palatka Shipbuilding Inc. of Palatka, Florida. She is the fifth tender for RCCL designed by DeJon9 & Lebet, Inc., and the fourth one built by Palatka Shipbuilding Inc. Although DeJong & Lebet, Inc. is widely known for designing large Dinner Cruise and River Gaming Vessels, La SANTA MARIA is the sixth small vessel designed during the past 12 months.

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La SANTA MARIA’S mission is to provide ferry service between the cruise ship and shore at remote island harbors where adequate docking facilities for the big cruise ships are not available. She is classed by Det Norske Veritas, and is licensed to carry 300 passengers on a Partially Protected Waters Route.

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The tender is powered by a pair of General Motors l2V-7lN diesels coupled to Twin Disc MG—5l4 gears, developing 340 HP @ 1800 engine rpm. The engines were furnished by Coastal Power, Sanford, Florida. Electrical power is provided by twin 15 KW John Deere generators furnished by Mid—America Marine of Memphis, Tennessee.

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The tender features a large potable water transfer pump and large potable water storage tanks for transferring fresh water to the remote islands she services.

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La SANTA MARIA has several special features designed by DeJong & Lebet, Inc. to improve sea—keeping when tendering cruise ships anchored outside protected harbors. These include bilge keels, a foc’sle deck, and draft and beam considerations.

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La SANTA MARIA will begin tendering operations in St. Marten in the Netherlands Antilles.

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Major suppliers for La SANTA MARIA include:

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Naval Architects:  DeJong & Lebet, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida

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Builder:  Palatka Shipbuilding

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Miscellaneous Equipment: Eagle Marine Equipment Co., Jacksonville, Florida

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Main Engines: GM—Coastal Power

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Gears: Twin-Disc

Generators: Mid-America Marine

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Seating: Miracle Recreation Equipment Co.

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Fenders: Morse Rubber Co.

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Propellers: Bird Johnson Mobile

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Shafting: Western Branch / Aquamet 17

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Water Pumps:  Peabody — Barnes

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Bilge/Fire Pumps: MP - Flowmax

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Mufflers: Cowl

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Steering: Tenjford

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Windows: Wynne Enterprises

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Switchboard: Industrial Power Systems

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Level Gauges: Metri-Tape