General Dynamics NASSCO is inviting the public to the christening ceremony Saturday morning for its latest giant tanker, the 610-foot Bay State.
The new ship, which has already completed its sea trials, is the fourth vessel in a five-ship contract for American Petroleum Tankers.
Rep. Juan Vargas will be the keynote speaker, and Melissa DeVeau will break a bottle of champagne against the ship’s hull to officially christen the new vessel. DeVeau is the wife of David DeVeau, vice president and general counsel for Kinder Morgan, the parent company of American Petroleum Tankers.
Gates to the shipyard at 2798 East Harbor Drive in Barrio Logan open at 9 a.m., and the free ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Guests will be treated to tanker-shaped donuts crafted by the popular Donut Bar.
The Bay State can carry up to 330,000 barrels of oil or other petroleum products, and can be converted to run on clean liquefied natural gas. NASSCO says it will be among the most fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly tankers in the world.
NASSCO operates the largest shipyard on the West Coast.
