AVONDALE, LOUISIANA -- On Saturday, September 28, 1996, Avondale Industries, Inc., and AHL Shipping Company christened the first commercial, self-propelled, double-hull tanker built in the United States to conform with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Jones Act. The 680-foot-long product carrier was christened CAPTAIN H. A. DOWNING. The new ship is named for Captain Henry A. Downing, who established American Heavy Lift Shipping Company in 1985 and now presides as Vice President and General Manager of the company. Mrs. Sharon Downing, wife of the ship's namesake, served as the ship's Sponsor and christened the vessel. Addressing the attendees were Mr. John Graykowski, Deputy Administrator, Inland Waterways and Great Lakes, U. S. Maritime Administration; Captain Gordon D. Marsh, U. S. Coast Guard, Commanding Officer MSO, New Orleans, Louisiana; Mr. Richard D. Horner, President, and Chief Executive Officer, AHL Shipping Company; and Mr. Albert L. Bossier, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Avondale Industries, Inc. Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Ron McAlear, Vice President Advanced Programs & Marketing, Avondale Industries, Inc. Miss Anna Phelan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Phelan, was the flower girl. Mr. Phelan is Chairman of the Board of AHL Shipping Company. The ship is the first of four AHL tankers being built as double-hulled ships with the addition of a new 510-foot-long doubled-hulled forebody constructed by Avondale. The new forebody is joined to the renovated and modified existing stern section -- where the engines, crew quarters, and bridge are located -- to complete the conversion into a modern, environmentally sound, double-hulled product carrier. Prior to joining together the forebody and stern section of the new ship, Avondale fabricated and installed three additional deck levels which were added to the stern's superstructure. This same procedure will be repeated on the three subsequent AHL vessels. Construction is progressing on the remaining three ships in the AHL program. The second double-hulled forebody was launched September 25, 1996, and the new ship will be christened ANASAZI. The double-hulled forebody for the third ship, which will be named NEW RIVER, is also presently under construction at Avondale. A keel-laying ceremony was held October 2, 1996, for the fourth ship, which will be named THE MONSEIGNEUR. The AHL double-hulled product carriers will transport refined products and chemicals. The ships have a beam of 90 feet and a draft of 36 feet. They will displace 50,035 long tons and have a deadweight of 39,400 long tons. Powered by 15,000 horsepower, the new ships are capable of speeds of 15.5 knots at fully loaded cargo oil capacity of 275,800 barrels. The CAPTAIN H. A. DOWNING's maiden voyage is scheduled for early October, when it will transport gasoline additives (MTBE) from the Texas Gulf Coast to the U. S. West Coast. Once delivered, the ship will be under the command of the Captain William Ehringer. AHL Shipping Company, headquartered in New Orleans, owns and operates a fleet of U. S.-flag product/chemical carriers. Avondale Industries, Inc., headquartered in metro New Orleans, designs, builds, and overhauls both military and commercial vessels.