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• 1 MPSV ordered from the De Hoop shipyards in the

Netherlands. This 279 ft. long Multi-Purpose Supply

Vessel (MPSV) has quarters for 70 people. With diesel- electric propulsion, a DP2 system, and heave compensat- ed 100-ton crane, this vessel is particularly adapted to sub-sea operations conducted in deepwater using robots (ROV). 2 MPSVs from the Bharati yards in India. This order follows the order for two MPSVs currently under con- struction at the same shipyards. With a length of 197 ft. and accommodations for 44 people, these vessels are par- ticularly adapted to maintenance work in producing oil and gas fields on the continental offshore. 36 Supply Vessels from the Dayang shipyards in

China. This large order includes two series of vessels, the concepts for which come from a GPA design identical to the design for the 10 units already ordered in December 2005 by Rigdon Marine for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Twenty-six of the 36 vessels ordered are AHTS with 80 tons of bollard pull, and the other 10 are particularly eco- nomical PSVs of 1,600 tons deadweight.

All 36 AHTS and PSVs ordered are diesel-electric, classed DP2 and FiFi1, and maneuver using two direc- tional thrusters associated with a fixed propeller and two bowthrusters. They have been designed to optimize the transport of various products and can carry 640 cu. m. of liquid mud.

Rigdon Marine

In 2002, Larry Rigdon, the former Tidewater executive vice president turned heads when he formed Rigdon

Marine. Rigdon Marine turned more heads with the announcement of a $125m financing agreement from

Bourbon to fund 10 deepwater platform supply vessels, which are now in service. The initial investment, made in compliance with the Jones Act, prefaced Rigdon and

Bourbon's collaboration to date. In January, Bourbon announced an additional $9.1m investment in Rigdon

Marine. "This stake in the Rigdon Marine group is the natural outcome of four years of collaboration. We have seen that this fast-growing company has rapidly become a prof- itable service provider, duly recognized in the offshore oil marine services sector, particularly in the Gulf of

Mexico," Cheauteauviex said.

In addition, Rigdon received $170m and new equity capital from American investors to finance 10 more ves- sels to double its fleet.

Bollinger Shipyards was tapped to build the 10 plat- form supply vessels for Rigdon Marine, based on a new

GPA 654 Class, designed by Guido Perla & Associates.

The design incorporates increased carrying capacity and greater operating efficiency, compared to similar sized vessels, while at the same time allowing simplified con- struction methods to reduce construction cost. The ves- sels will be diesel-electric and classed ABS +A1+AMS+DP2, USCG Subchapter L and SOLAS. (include engine info here, locate Rigdon quote)

Looking ahead and indicating further growth, Rigdon said, we'd like to be in the 30 all modern vessel range to remain an important player in GoM. Ridgon aims to tar- get the new market niche that isn't being covered while maintaining their primary focus of complementing Bour- bon vessels. 18 • MarineNews • May, 2006 105 N. Conception Street

Mobile, AL 36602

Circle 205 on Reader Service Card

Larry Rigdon in 2005 at the deliver for Iberville, one of 10 technically advanced PSVs built last year for Rigdon Marine for work in the Gulf of

Mexico. (Photo: Don Sutherland)

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