March 3 - Terminal operator Portus has moved the first shipment of next generation Mark VI patrol boats, built by SAFE Boats International and purchased by the U.S. Navy, through the heavy lift cargo berth at Jaxport's Blount Island Marine Terminal.
The patrol boats, which are 85 ft (25.9 m) long and weigh approximately 70 tonnes each, arrived at Jaxport from the West Coast via the Panama Canal onboard the general cargo ship Coastal Venture, which is owned by Stevens Transportation - a subsidiary of Stevens Towing Company.
Portus lifted each patrol boat individually from Coastal Venture before lowering the boats onto the St. Johns River. The boats were then sailed to Naval Station Mayport, from where they were sent to Virginia.
The heavy lift cargo berth at Jaxport's Blount Island Marine Terminal offers up to 1,800 lbs per sq ft (8.78 tonnes per sq m) of load capacity.
