b'MEMBER NEWSSt. Johns Ship Building Lays Keel for Jones Act-Compliant CTVS t. Johns Ship Building, Palatka, Fla., host-ed a keel laying ceremony for the first In-cat Crowther 30 Crew Transport Vessel (CTV) built in compliance with Jones Act reg-ulations in the United States. Both companiesThe Trusted Source for are PVA members. It is the first of two CTVsQuality Systemsthat the company is building for Windea and will first operate out of New Bedford, Mass.The event came about month after St. Johns was acquired by Americraft Marine Group, a maritime subsidiary of the Libra Group.We could not be happier to have Hornblower andtheirpartnersreturntoSt.JohnsShip Buildingtobuildthevesselsthatwillhelp America move closer towards energy indepen-dence and a cleaner, healthier environment for generations to come, said Ed Sheets, executive vice president and director of business strategy for Americraft Marine Group.TheconstructionofthisseriesofIncat-de-signed vessels also signals the official launch of St. Johns Ship Buildings new focus on ded-icatedhigh-speedaluminumvesselproduc-tion. The Incat 30 is a 30-meter crew transport vehicle with a max speed of 29 knots and made of marine-grade aluminum. The groundwork for this focus on supporting the construction of Jones Act-compliant CTVs was laid more than two years ago through multiple facility modifications and the acquisition of new pro-duction equipment such as the installation of PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. JOHNS SHIP BUILDINGa computer numerical control (CNC) router for processing of non-ferrous metals and com-posite materials.TheemployeesatSt.JohnsShipBuildingTHRUSTERSLIGHTINGSEATINGDOORSTRIM CONTROLWIPERSCONTROLScontinue to work hard to augment our well-equipped facility to support a diversified prod-uct line, which already includes several steel andaluminumprojects,saidJeffBukoski, president of St. Johns Ship Building.www.imtra.com 508.995.700037 AUGUST 2022'