June 14, 2007 - Industrial Power Systems, Inc. (IPS) of Jacksonville, Florida, continues its strong penetration into the U.S. ferry market with the recent completion of new construction projects for two major shipyards, VT Halter Marine, and Gladding-Hearn. IPS supplied the electrical power control systems for the M/V Island Home and the M/V Iyanough, both recently commissioned into service by the notable Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority (SSA, the Steamship Authority). Founded as a public service ferry company, the SSA has been serving a discerning client base between mainland Massachusetts and the islands since 1818.
IPS’s Marine Division has been designing and building electrical power control systems for the marine industry for over 25 years. Installations include integrated systems for work boats, research vessels, military vessels, gaming vessels, luxury yachts, sportfishing boats, and commercial vessels such as these two projects.
M/V Island Home
Built by VT Halter Marine in Moss Point, Mississippi, the 255′ x 64′ M/V Island Home is a $32.1 million double-ended passenger/vehicle ferry serving the 7-mile crossing between Woods Hole and Martha’s Vineyard at a speed of 16 knots and capable of carrying 1200 passengers and 76 automobiles. IPS was selected to design and build the ferry’s electrical power system. In addition to the main ship’s service and emergency switchboards, IPS supplied most of the other electrical power equipment on board. This included electric motor control centers, enclosed motor controllers serving the ferry’s electric motor loads, and two bow thruster electric motors with variable frequency drive systems. Fore and aft shore power connection boxes were supplied, complete with circuit breakers and mating plugs and receptacles for use at each end of the double-ended ferry when the vessel is docked. Completing the package were four ship's service transformers, and 26 lighting panel boards for lights throughout the vessel.
M/V Iyanough
Built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding in Somerset, Massachusetts, the 154′ x 39′ M/V Iyanough is a $9.7 million high-speed passenger catamaran serving the 26-mile crossing between Hyannis and Nantucket at a speed of 35 knots and capable of carrying 393 passengers. Gladding-Hearn selected IPS to provide the main switchboard for this new construction vessel.
New Business
In addition to these successful installations, the SSA recently installed a new IPS emergency switchboard on an older ferry, the M/V Nantucket. IPS is currently building new main switchboards for the vessel at IPS’s 20,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Florida.
Industrial Power Systems, Inc. (IPS) is a Florida company established in 1981. IPS designs and builds quality electrical controls, switchgear and automation systems for marine and industrial applications. Specialists in custom design and fabrication, IPS offers both bid-to-specification, and design-and-build products. The company’s manufacturing, engineering, sales, administrative and corporate Head Offices are located in a 20,000 square foot facility in Jacksonville, Florida.
IPS builds to meet standards of all major USA regulatory bodies and associations including EGSA, IEEE, NEMA, NEC, UL, and ANSI for land applications, and ABS, USCG and IEEE for marine applications. IPS also builds to meet international standards including CSA, IEC and other regulatory and classification societies including Lloyd’s and Det Norske Veritas for marine applications.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Glenn Beaupre, Manager – Marine Division, Industrial Power Systems, Inc., 3010 Powers Avenue, Bldg 16, Jacksonville FL 32207, (904) 731-8844.
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