Scenic Eclipse Back in Action
Scenic Eclipse Back in Action Thanks to Gulf Copper’s Swift Drydock Expertise
The luxury expedition ship Scenic Eclipse has returned to service following critical repairs conducted at Gulf Copper’s Galveston shipyard. The vessel, known for its adventurous itineraries, experienced propulsion issues in September, necessitating an urgent drydock to replace a faulty Azipod.
Gulf Copper’s team swiftly responded to the challenge, accommodating the 228-guest ship and facilitating the complex repair process. Remarkably, the replacement Azipod was delivered to the shipyard via a chartered Antonov 124 aircraft, one of the world’s largest cargo planes, highlighting the scale and urgency of the operation.
Gulf Copper Proudly Supports Battleship Texas’ Historic Restoration
At Gulf Copper, we’ve always been honored to play a role in preserving history. That’s why we’re thrilled to be a part of the ongoing restoration of the Battleship Texas, a legendary World War II vessel that bravely fired the first shots on D-Day. This iconic ship, a symbol of American courage and resilience, served our country with distinction, participating in numerous battles and earning 11 battle stars.
The Battleship Texas Foundation, a dedicated non-profit organization, has embarked on an ambitious $35 million restoration project to ensure this historic ship can continue inspiring future generations. Gulf Copper is proud to be a partner in this effort, contributing our expertise and world-class facilities at the Gulf Copper Dry Dock & Rig Repair in Galveston, Texas.
The extensive restoration efforts, which have been underway since 2022, have already seen over 700 tons of steel replaced and the hull repainted. With the ship successfully refloated in March 2024, the focus is shifting towards restoring the interior spaces, replacing the wood deck, and finalizing the navigation bridge.
We firmly believe that the Battleship Texas is a national treasure that deserves to be preserved. It’s a tangible reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedom.
Learn more about the Battleship Texas’ incredible journey and this historic restoration project:
KXAN News: Inside Battleship Texas’ Historic Comeback 80 Years After D-Day
https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/inside-battleship-texas-historic-comeback-80-years-after-d-day/
Battleship Texas New Home at Pier 21 in Galveston
GALVESTON, Texas – After years of planning, the Battleship Texas Foundation is nearing final agreements with both Landry’s Inc. and the Port of Galveston to dock the historic USS Texas permanently at Pier 21.
Tony Gregory, President/CEO of the Battleship Texas Foundation, announced Thursday that the Foundation is approximately 60 days away from signing contracts with both parties. Landry’s operates several attractions adjacent to Pier 21, including the Harbor House Hotel and Willie G’s Seafood & Steaks. If finalized, the agreements would provide a long-term home for the deteriorating but iconic 110-year-old battleship following recent restoration work.
Mark Ashwell, Director of Business Development at Gulf Copper Dry Dock & Rig Repair, where restoration on the USS Texas began in September 2022 stated, “This will be a great enhancement for Galveston City and its people, as it will keep the iconic battleship in Texas and improve the overall tourist experience on the island.
The Battleship Texas will allow people from all over the country to tour the battleship to feel nostalgic and see the once state-of-the-art technology and engineering marvel of the only remaining World War I Dreadnought.”
Battleship USS Texas Transits to Galveston for Dry Docking
The legendary battleship USS Texas has returned from its brief trip to the Gulf Copper shipyard in Galveston, where her hull needs urgent repairs. After 108 years on the water, the old ship’s hull has known leaks, thus the trip was carefully planned and supervised.
Four tug escorts, a diving support vessel, and a U.S. Coast Guard escort accompanied the battleship on its journey. She sailed away from San Jacinto before sunrise, being pulled south at a constant speed of roughly three knots. She landed at Gulf Copper’s facilities in the middle of the day after a smooth sail. When she arrived in Galveston, hundreds of well-wishers came up to welcome her, and other ships followed her on her unusual journey.
BREAKING: The Battleship Texas has arrived in Galveston! pic.twitter.com/5PxEuYQmze
— The Salty Dog Galveston (@SaltyDGalveston) August 31, 2022
10 Key Benefits of Regular Dry Docking for your Commercial Vessel
Regular dry docking is crucial to maintaining a commercial vessel and ensuring its safety, efficiency, and longevity. Dry docking refers to the process of taking a vessel out of the water to conduct inspections, maintenance, and repairs. This is typically done at a shipyard or other specialized facility equipped to handle a vessel’s unique needs. Ten key benefits of regular dry docking for your commercial vessel include:
10 Key Benefits of Dry Docking
Improved Safety
There are many benefits to regular dry docking for a commercial vessel. One of the most important is improved safety. During a dry docking, the vessel is carefully inspected by experienced professionals who can identify potential safety issues and address them before they become major problems. This can include checking the hull’s condition, inspecting the propulsion system, and ensuring that all safety equipment is in good working order.
Enhanced Performance
Another key benefit of regular dry docking is enhanced performance. By conducting regular maintenance and making necessary repairs, a vessel can be kept in good working order, which can help improve its performance and ensure that it is operating at its best. This can include cleaning and lubricating the engines, replacing worn or damaged parts, and conducting any other repairs needed to keep the vessel running smoothly. (more…)
Battleship USS Texas Is Making One Hell of a Comeback
The USS Texas, a World War I-era battleship, is undergoing a $35 million repair effort in Galveston, Texas. While the ship is in dry dock, the Battleship Texas Foundation has been providing limited tours so visitors can see the damage to the hull and the repair efforts. The tours, which began last month and run every Sunday, are only open to visitors who are at least 16 years old and who adhere to a strict dress code. The USS Texas is the oldest surviving modern naval warship and has seen service in both world wars. After the repairs are completed, the foundation intends to relocate the ship to a new location, with Baytown, Galveston, and Beaumont expressing interest in hosting it.
Restoring a Valuable Asset
by Jonathan Hale
During the past year, Gulf Copper traveled to the Bahamas and purchased a large drydock that had been sunk, broken over its length and cut in half during salvage. The drydock as we originally found it is pictured above.
Gulf Copper assembled a project team working from Galveston and supplemented with employees from Mexico and the Bahamas to undertake repair and refurbishment of the remaining drydock section. The drydock pontoon and wingwalls were realigned while cropping out all distorted and wasted steel. Approximately 450 tons of new steel was inserted in way of damages and the dock was equipped with new pumps, valves, new electrical system, and Bergan Controls. After six months of work and prior to Hurricane season, the drydock was towed from Freeport, Bahamas to Galveston, Texas to complete commissioning and begin a new life. The completed dock, with a lift capacity of 35,000 tons, is pictured below.
The initial job for the drydock was to lift the “Superdreadnought” U.S.S. TEXAS – BB35 on August 31st. Upon completion of repairs to the Battleship Texas, it is anticipated the drydock will have many more years of job creation at our Galveston shipyard.
USS Orleck Arrives Back in Jacksonville
After a four-month makeover at the Gulf Copper Dry Docks in Port Arthur, the USS Orleck has arrived back in Jacksonville.
We at Gulf Copper are very excited to see the USS Orleck back on the St Johns river and ready for a new chapter in her life, after a few months of repair and refurbishment at the Gulf Copper Port Arthur shipyard.
Watch the final 13 miles of her journey. Can’t wait to see the Orleck take its place as the crowning jewel of the Jacksonville Naval Museum later this year.
