CHESAPEAKE SHIPBUILDING Delivers American Jazz 3rd Modern Series Riverboat For American Cruise Lines

SALISBURY, MD – September 1, 2020

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. of Salisbury, MD announced today that it has delivered American Jazz, the 3rd modern riverboat in the 5-ship series, designed and built for American Cruise Lines.  American accepted delivery of American Jazz, on August 26th ahead of schedule. American Jazz, is 328 feet long, has 6 decks, and 99 staterooms all with private balconies.

Last week, with the U.S. Coast Guard aboard, American Jazz successfully passed Sea Trials. The new riverboat underwent speed trials, an endurance run, and was thoroughly tested in all areas of safety and maneuverability. The new ship possesses the latest safety equipment, as well as the most environmentally friendly technology in the industry.

American Jazz is the 3rd modern riverboat Chesapeake has delivered to American; following the delivery of American Harmony in 2019, and American Song in 2018 (1st modern riverboat in U.S. history).

American Jazz notably features the Modern Series hallmarks—a patented opening bow and retractable gangway, as well as a soaring multistory glass atrium in the center of the ship. American Jazz offers several spacious interior lounges, a grand dining room, fitness center, and a new Wellness-Yoga studio. American Jazz and all American’s modern riverboats are designed with numerous outdoor lounges, including casual outdoor dining cafés and expansive top sundecks.

Accommodations aboard American Jazz range from 250 sq/ft single staterooms to 650 sq/ft suites. The ship has 99 staterooms each featuring a private balcony and full size sliding glass doors. All staterooms and interior spaces on board are equipped with independent HVAC air systems (with no shared duct work).

CHESAPEAKE SHIPBUILDING Delivers American Harmony 2nd Modern Riverboat in 5-ship Series for American Cruise Lines

SALISBURY, MD – July 13, 2019

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. of Salisbury, MD announced today that it has delivered the 2nd modern riverboat in the U.S., American Harmony, to American Cruise Lines. The brand new modern riverboat was completed ahead of schedule; accommodates 190-passengers, is 345 feet long, has 6 decks, and 99 staterooms all with private balconies.

Chesapeake delivered the 1st modern riverboat in the U.S., American Song, to American Cruise Lines in October 2018. Chesapeake Shipbuilding is both designing and building the entire 5-ship series of modern riverboats for American Cruise Lines. The 3rd modern riverboat in the series, American Jazz, is due in early 2020.

American Cruise Lines, is the largest coastal and river cruise operator in the U.S. with 11 small ships currently in its fleet. In just the past few years, Chesapeake Shipbuilding has built 3 distinct styles of passenger vessels for American: classic paddlewheelers, small cruise ships, and the first and only modern-style riverboats available in the U.S.A.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Launches the tug Salisbury

SALISBURY, MD – May 9, 2019

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. of Salisbury, MD announced today that it successfully launched the tug Salisbury, the 1st of 4 sister ship tugs for Vane Brothers. The new tug is a Sub-Chapter, M-Compliant Push Tug, both designed and built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding & Naval Architects. Chesapeake Shipbuilding has been designing and building commercial and passenger vessels since 1978 today, it is the most successful shipyard and naval architecture firm in the U.S. 

Construction of the Salisbury was completed in Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s new hull fabrication buildings and delivery of the tug will be in July, 2019. 

The new 3000 horsepower tug is equipped with twin Caterpillar 3512 main engines, conventional shafts, rudders and flanking rudders. It will accommodate up to 7 crew members and has large, modern private and semi-private quarters. The Chesapeake designed tug is 94’ LOA, with a 34’ molded beam and a 10’ 6” molded depth. 

CHESAPEAKE SHIPBUILDING Delivers American Song 1st Modern Riverboat in the U.S.A.

SALISBURY, MD – August 23, 2018

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. of Salisbury, MD announced today that it has delivered American Song, the 1st modern riverboat in the U.S.A. American Song represents the first style departure from the classic Victorian-style paddlewheelers that have cruised U.S. Rivers since the early 1800s. Equipped with every modern advancement, including a patented opening bow and retractable gangway, American Song symbolizes the historic evolution of American Riverboats.

 The 190-passenger, brand new modern-style riverboat was designed and built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding for American Cruise Lines. It is the first ship in a 5-ship series of modern riverboats Chesapeake Shipbuilding is building for the Line. Completed ahead of schedule, American Song, is 335 feet long, has 5 decks, and 94 staterooms all with private balconies.

Showcasing gorgeous interior design elements, from a five-story glass atrium to spectacular spacious lounges, American Song inspires. Thoughtfully designed to bring the outside world in, American Song employs a sweeping use of glass throughout the ship. It has the largest staterooms in the industry, including Grand Suites at over 900 sq/ft, and every accommodation on board features a private balcony and sliding glass doors.

American Song is the first modern riverboat of its kind available on U.S. Rivers. In addition to American Song, Chesapeake Shipbuilding has built many other passenger vessels for American Cruise Lines in just the past few years, including, classic paddlewheelers and small cruise ships.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Inks Agreement to Design & Build 4 New Tugs for Vane Brothers

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SALISBURY, MD – December 20, 2017

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. of Salisbury, MD announced today that it has signed another new agreement with Vane Brothers of Baltimore, MD to design and build four new Sub-Chapter, M-Compliant, Push Tugs, yet to be named. This new order will bring the total number of tugs to 20 that have been built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding for Vane Brothers since 2007.

Design and construction on the new tugs will begin immediately in Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s hull fabrication buildings. The four new vessels will be sisterships.

The new 3000 horsepower tugs will be equipped with twin Caterpillar 3512 main engines, conventional shafts, rudders and flanking rudders. They will accommodate up to 7 crew members and will have large, modern private and semi-private quarters. The Chesapeake designed tugs will be 94’ LOA, with a 34’ molded beam and a 10’ 6” molded depth.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Delivers 12th Tug to Vane Brothers

SALISBURY, MD – July 20, 2016

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. of Salisbury, MD announced it has successfully delivered another ocean going tugboat to Vane Brothers of Baltimore, MD. The boat, named Fort McHenry, marks the 12th tugboat that Chesapeake Shipbuilding has built for the maritime transportation company. Chesapeake Shipbuilding has 5 additional tugboats under construction for Vane Brothers.

The Fort McHenry is equipped with twin Caterpillar 3512 main engines producing a combined 3,000 horsepower, and a single drum hydraulic winch from JonRie of New Jersey. The tug measures 94’ long with a 32’ beam, and a 13’ depth.

All Chesapeake Shipbuilding tugs are built in a controlled indoor environment prior to being moved and launched into Maryland’s Wicomico River. Chesapeake Shipbuilding has recently made significant upgrades to its facility to increase its production capacity and efficiency.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Delivers Cruise Ship America

March 6, 2016, Salisbury, MD

Chesapeake Shipbuilding announced today that it has delivered the brand new cruise ship, America, to American Cruise Lines of Guilford, CT. The America is designed with luxury in mind and maintains Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s reputation as the premier builder of cruise ships in the United States. The Salisbury, MD yard has built each overnight cruise ship in the United States in recent years, including all new vessels for American Cruise Lines.

The America began its trip to New Orleans, LA immediately following delivery where it will operate 4 to 21 night cruises on the Mississippi River. The riverboat will routinely travel from New Orleans as far north as St. Paul, MN carrying 185 guests in the highest level comfort. The America meets the highest standards for comfort with glass enclosed lounges, the largest-in-class staterooms with private balconies, and a dining facility that enables all guests to dine together while enjoying the highest level of service.

The America is 296 feet in length overall and meets the most modern environmental and safety standards. It features two Caterpillar 3512 main engines with stern mounted z-drive units from ZF marine and three Caterpillar C18 generators producing a combined 1275kw 

Chesapeake Shipbuilding currently has two other overnight cruise ships under construction for American Cruise Lines. The destination for each ship has not been disclosed, but the line has announced that at least one will be intended for coastal/ocean service.

5th Hull Fabrication Building Completed at Chesapeake Shipbuilding

SALISBURY, MD – December 22, 2015

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. announced today that its 5th hull fabrication building is complete in Salisbury, MD.

The new building is 160 feet long by 70 feet wide and 70 feet high. The building will allow larger hull sections to be construction in an indoor environment at the yard. This building will be complete with advanced climate control and has been fitted with 2 overhead cranes and state-of-the-art equipment. It will be large enough to accommodate the construction complete tugboats or large hull sections in a controlled indoor environment. Currently under construction in this building is an aft module of Hull 119, a 275 ft. coastal cruise ship. The building represents Chesapeake’s continuing commitment to quality and continuous improvement.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Brings on New Director of Design and Engineering

SALISBURY, MD – December 12, 2015

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. announced today that Steven McGee, P.E. has joined the senior executive team as Director of Design and Engineering at Chesapeake Shipbuilding.

With more than 20 years of engineering and maritime experience, McGee will oversee vessel design from preliminary conceptual design to complete Coast Guard and regulatory approvals. Chesapeake Shipbuilding currently has on staff 5 naval architects and 2 engineers.

“McGee’s experience in various positions with the U.S. Coast Guard, including Hull Division Chief at the Marine Safety Center and former Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, is a valuable asset we look forward to having on our team,” said Charles A. Robertson, President and CEO. “His rock solid reputation in the maritime industry will be critical for the retention and expansion of our customer base.”

McGee holds a bachelor’s degree in naval architecture and marine engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a master’s of science in both naval architecture and marine engineering as well as aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding to Build 3 More Tugs for Vane Brothers

SALISBURY, MD – November 19, 2015

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. of Salisbury, MD announced today it has signed another contract with Vane Brothers of Baltimore, MD to build three more ocean going tugs. This new contract marks the 15, 16 and 17th tugboats built for Vane Brothers by Chesapeake Shipbuilding since 2008. Construction on the first new tug has already begun in one of Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s hull fabrication buildings.

The design of these three new tugboats will be nearly identical to previous tugboats built for Vane Brothers. Each will be equipped with twin Caterpillar 3512 main engines producing a combined 3,000 horsepower, and a single drum hydraulic winch from JonRie of New Jersey. The tugs will measure 94’ long with a 32’ beam, and a 13’ depth.

All Chesapeake Shipbuilding tugs are built in a controlled indoor environment prior to being moved and launched into Maryland’s Wicomico River. Chesapeake Shipbuilding has recently made significant upgrades to its facility to increase its production capacity and efficiency.