The 72’ Cruise Ship Tender, M/V NINA, was recently delivered to Labadee Investments, Ltd. The twin screw tender’s primary mission is to provide ship to shore ferry service for the large cruise ships of the ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINE, anchored in the bay at the Labadee resort, on the island of Haiti.

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NINA will join her sister vessel, SANTA MARIA VI, which was delivered to Labadee in June, 1986. Several improvements were designed into the NINA by DeJong & Lebet, Inc. and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line after gaining some operational experience on the first tender. These improvements included a larger pilothouse, power hydraulic steering, fuel oil transfer pump with dockside discharge hose and reel, constant read out fuel tank level gauges, and a wheelchair ramp for handicapped passengers.

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DeJong & Lebet, Inc., Naval Architects, Jacksonville, Florida, provided preliminary and detail design services as well as construction supervision services. The result was a vessel ideally suited for tending cruise ships. The vessel features a raised level 36O~ view pilothouse, raised boarding deck, 10" non—marking rubber fenders, passenger deck canopy, fixed bench seating with individual back rests, and Philly clad 200 non—skid deck covering. These features were included in the design by DeJong & Lebet specifically to enhance the safety and comfort of the passengers, particularly while moored to the cruise ship.

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The unique hull design of the NINA is best described as a modified catamaran, with two (2) outboard hulls connected by a submersed center "wing" section, open to both hulls. The hull design was a group effort between DeJong & Lebet, Inc. and Thorleif Berg of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. The result is a hull that combines the efficiency and stability of a catamaran, with the sea keeping, increased tons per inch and below decks access of a monohull.

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The NINA is powered by a pair of General ~1otors l2V-7lN diesels, rated @340 SHP each, with 3:1 ratio Twin Disc MG—5l4 reverse/reduction rears. The engines and gears were provided by Coastal Power of Jacksonville, Florida. The engines turn 3" diameter Aquamet 22 shafts with 42" diameter 4-bladed propellers, furnished by Columbian Bronze. The engines are heat exchanger cooled, with raw water-cooled exhaust through the transom at the waterline.

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The vessel ‘s hull is built to ABS standards and was furnished with an ABSTECH-I certificate of compliance. The vessel ‘s hull features extra heavy steel construction for durability due to its remote location and extended periods between dry-docking. The vessel was designed to meet United States Coast Guard regulations in Subchapter T for Partially Protected Waters, including stability and subdivision criteria, but was not inspected.

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Principal characteristics of the NINA as follows:

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Length = 72’

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Breadth = 25’

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Depth = 8’

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Draft (loaded) = 5’

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Passengers = 250

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Maximum Speed = 13 Knots

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Loaded Speed = 11 Knots

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Fuel Capacity = 4400 gallons

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Electrical System = 32 V D.C.

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Major suppliers included the following:

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Designers: DeJong & Lebet, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida

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Builder: Palatka Shipbuilding Corporation, Palatka, Florida

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Engine/Gears: Coastal Power/General Motors

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Propellers:  Columbian Bronze

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Fenders: Morse Rubber Company

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Controls: Kobelt

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Bilge/Fire: PumpsNP Flomax

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Fuel Transfer Pump: Oberdorfer

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Steering: Wagner Mini-Accumotor

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Battery Charger: LaMarche

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Windows: Wynne Enterprises

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Electronics: Apelco /Raytheon

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Seating: Miracle Recreation Equipment Co.

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Hatches: Marhil Manufacturing Company

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Deck Plates: Freeman Marine

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Deck Covering: Philadelphia Resins

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Coatings: International Paint

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Mufflers: Cowl

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Fuel Gauges:  GEMS Sensors/Transamerica

In addition to the NINA, DeJong & Lebet, Inc. has designed the tenders PLAYA DEL CARMEN, CONCH REPUBLIC, and SANTA MARIA VI. All these vessels were designed to meet the demanding comfort, service, and aesthetic standards required by the cruise ship industry.

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