Philly Shipyard has delivered the first of five vessels purpose-built for training new cadets and officers of each of the five state maritime academies in America. The Empire State includes a full training bridge and numerous training spaces, can accommodate over 600 cadets, and features a remarkable suite of quality Furuno electronics.

 
Photo: Philly Shipyard

Orlando, FL - Philly Shipyard has delivered a new vessel purpose-built for training new cadets and officers who will ultimately crew both government and commercial-owned sealift ships. The 159.85-meter Empire State VII was built by TOTE Services, LLC under the NSMV (National Security Multi-Mission Vessel) program for the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) and boasts an incredible suite of quality Furuno marine electronics. The first of five new training vessels built in the United States for each of the state maritime academies in America, the Empire State includes a full training bridge and numerous training spaces, can accommodate over 600 cadets, and will be put into service at SUNY Maritime College in Fort Schuyler, N.Y. This remarkable training ship and instructional hub boasts a dual mission: facilitating the education of merchant mariners and providing vital aid in humanitarian and disaster relief operations during national crises.

The remarkable electronics suite aboard the Empire State includes redundant X-Band and S-Band Chart Radars, ECDIS stations, and multiple communications packages. The Furuno-built, industrial Linux-based operating system, dual redundant ethernet networks, and refined installation setup greatly simplified the project, allowing this sophisticated system to be ready to operate well ahead of schedule. Hundreds of hours were required to install and configure all of the Empire State’s components, and the new navigation and communications suite will provide a safe, steady, and versatile navigation and training workhorse for many years to come.

“The Empire State’s Integrated Navigation System is one of the largest and most comprehensive Furuno systems ever commissioned,” said Bill Haynes, Deep Sea Product Manager for Furuno USA, Inc. “Empire State sets a new standard for safety, functionality, and redundancy with dual bridges, three chart radars, ten multifunction workstations, Voyage Data Recorder, a complete acoustics suite, comprehensive Alert Management System, and dual GMDSS suites. Each workstation is ECDIS, RADAR, and CONNING capable, and both the navigation bridge and the training bridge have the tools they need to navigate safely and train our future navigation officers with the safest, most reliable, and functionally competent sensors and processors available.

“Furuno USA is very proud to have been selected to provide our equipment and services to support this fine vessel, and we’d like to thank the US Maritime Administration, TOTE Services, Philly Shipyard, and SUNY Maritime College for placing your trust in us.”

NSMV II, the second of the planned five vessels, is scheduled for delivery in 2024, and work is well underway for NSMV III and NSMV IV, with all five vessels to be completed and in service by 2026.

For more information on Furuno and their complete line of Marine Electronics, contact: Furuno U.S.A., 4400 N.W. Pacific Rim Blvd., Camas, WA 98607, or visit their website at www.FurunoUSA.com.

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