Governor Hogan Visits & Honors Chesapeake Shipbuilding

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan recently announced a 50 million-dollar Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund to stimulate private sector investment and grow jobs throughout the state. Following the announcement, the Governor toured Chesapeake Shipbuilding presenting shipyard President, Steve McGee, with a governor’s citation in special recognition of the company’s continued growth, job creation, and contributions to the local economy—including the Yard’s current expansion, which will add more than 100 jobs over the next 18-24 months.

12 New Cruise Ships to be Built on the Bay

American Cruise Lines has announced Project Blue. A fleet of 12 new small cruise ships to be designed and built in Salisbury by Chesapeake Shipbuilding. The Project Blue Fleet is the largest order for U.S.-built cruise ships in decades. Chesapeake Shipbuilding is hiring and training for new job openings, including many skilled trade positions. The first 2 of 12 cruise ships in the Project Blue order are due for delivery in 2023.

CHESAPEAKE SHIPBUILDING Expands to Keep Up with Major Growth in U.S. Shipbuilding Industry

Chesapeake Shipbuilding is hiring in response to the company’s ongoing growth. DelamarvaLife’s Katie Zarrilli visits the Yard in Salisbury, MD, to learn more about the Yard’s, newest projects, overall expansion, and the tremendous career opportunities at the fast-growing company.

CHESAPEAKE SHIPBUILDING Delivers Fourth Salisbury Push Tug to Vane Brothers

Vane Brothers’ 3,000-horsepower Push Tug Charles Hughes, delivered in January 2022. Vane Brothers photo. By WorkBoat Staff in News, Shipbuilding

Vane Brothers, Baltimore, took delivery in January of the final boat in a series of four 3,000-hp Salisbury Class push tugs. Named the Charles Hughes, Vane’s newest addition is the 20th Maryland-built towing vessel to join Vane Brothers’ fleet since 2008.

Designed and constructed by Chesapeake Shipbuilding shipbuilders and naval architects of Salisbury, Md., Vane’s Salisbury Class push tugs have a molded depth of only 10.5', making them well suited for working in confined, shallow-draft waterways. The Charles Hughes’ operational area is the Northeast U.S.

The 3,000-hp boat is equipped with Caterpillar 3512 main engines, conventional shafts, rudders and flanking rudders. The Cats each produce 1,500 hp at 1,800 rpm and are connected to stainless steel Hung Shen troost-style 5-bladed propellers through Twin Disc MGX-5600 gears with 6:1 ratios. The propulsion package gives the tug a running speed of 10.5 knots.

The new push tug will accommodate up to seven crew members and has large private and semiprivate quarters. A roomy pilothouse features both Simrad and Furuno electronics, as well as dual Rose Point electronic charting systems. There's tankage for 40,000 gals. of fuel; 15,000 gals. ballast water, 5,000 gals. water; and 5,000 gals. zero discharge tank. Ancillary equipment includes 65-ton Patterson winches, JonRie InterTech capstans, and Fernstrum box coolers.

The Charles Hughes’ three sister tugs, the Salisbury, Annapolis and Rock Hall, were delivered in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Designed to provide exceptional crew comfort, reliability and operational efficiency, all four Salisbury Class push tugs comply with federally mandated, U.S Coast Guard-enforced Subchapter M safety standards.

“Vane Brothers takes pride in providing our customers and crews with vessels constructed to the highest standards,” Vane Brothers president C. Duff Hughes said in a statement announcing the delivery. “The Charles Hughes is another powerful, peak-performing tug that maximizes maneuverability where it is needed most.”

To create the Salisbury Class design, Chesapeake Naval Architect John Womack worked in collaboration with Vane Brothers Port Captain Jim Demske, who has overseen construction of 48 tugboats for Vane over the last two decades. “Chesapeake has such a talented group of shipbuilders right in our backyard,” said Demske. “Each tug capitalizes on safety, comfort and productivity.” Along with the four push tugs, Chesapeake Shipbuilding has supplied 16 3,000-horsepower, model-bow tugs.

The tug Charles Hughes is named in honor of the late Charles F. Hughes, former Vane Brothers chairman of the board and the father of Vane's current president, C. Duff Hughes. Charles Hughes was a U.S. Navy veteran, Johns Hopkins University graduate, and Vane Brothers executive from 1951 to 2004.

A previous push tug Charles Hughes, built in 1975 and rated at 1,800-hp, was acquired by Vane Brothers in 1991 and sold in 2019. The classic-looking name boards from the first Charles Hughes were refinished and are now proudly mounted on the new Charles Hughes.

CHESAPEAKE SHIPBUILDING Production is Rolling Forward

Starboard Side of the Bow Module of Hull 142, AMERICAN SYMPHONY

Salisbury, MD - December 1, 2021

The 500-ton bow module of the 328’ x 59’ x 12.3’ cruise ship, Hull 142 named AMERICAN SYMPHONY, was rolled out of Building 4 at Chesapeake Shipbuilding yesterday by Expert House Movers of Sharptown, MD.  With a capacity to carry 175 overnight passengers, the vessel will operate luxury cruises throughout the Mississippi River system by late summer 2022.  This will be the 5th ship of the Modern Riverboat Series designed and built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding and delivered to American Cruise Lines.

Keel Laying of Hull 144, AMERICAN SERENADE

With the bow module clear of Building 4, the keel for the next cruise ship, Hull 144 named AMERICAN SERENADE, was laid today.  This vessel will be the 6th of the modern riverboat series and a sister to Hull 142 and the AMERICAN MELODY that was delivered in August, 2021. 

CHESAPEAKE SHIPBUILDING Delivers 4th Modern Riverboat American Melody And Announces Plans to Build the 5th & 6th Modern Series Riverboats

SALISBURY, MD – August 23, 2021

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. of Salisbury, MD announced today that it has delivered American Melody to American Cruise Lines. Despite various challenges, the Yard continued building through the pandemic and delivered American Melody, the 4th modern riverboat in American’s acclaimed series, as promised and on schedule. Chesapeake Shipbuilding will also build the 5th & 6th Modern Series riverboats for American Cruise Lines, the first of which is scheduled for delivery in 2022.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding delivered American Song, the first modern riverboat in American’s groundbreaking series in 2018. Since then, in addition to many commercial vessels, the Yard has built Modern Series riverboats: American Harmony (2019), American Jazz (2020) and American Melody (2021).

Immediately following last week’s successful Sea Trials, American Melody headed to New Orleans for its inaugural cruise along the Mississippi River.  American Melody accommodates 175-passengers, is 328 feet long, has 5 decks and 91 staterooms-all with private balconies. The elegant new riverboat showcases a gorgeous multi-story sky-lit atrium, multiple indoor and outdoor lounges, a large fitness center, grand dining room, casual outdoor café, and a 5th deck open-air Skywalk which features a dramatic ellipse cutout cantilevered above the ship’s 4th deck.

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.