Page 43: of Marine News Magazine (November 2010)

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An inter-agency report from the Obama

Administration in late September estimated that 2,000 jobs were lost on Gulf of Mexico rigs during the drilling moratorium.

John George, co-owner of Custom Boat

Manufacturing Inc. in St. Bernard, La., said “we haven't been affected by the moratorium, but we hear by word of mouth that companies and individuals along the coast have been.” Custom Boat Manufacturing builds alu- minum flat boats for shallow water, and a few of them are used for oil-related activities. “My doctor in Houma said some of his patients who were employed offshore were leaving to work overseas,”

George said. A number of oil and gas companies have offices in Houma, located on Louisiana's southeast coast.

For rig workers heading abroad, wages are often higher than in the Gulf, but political and other dangers exist.

It Pays to Diversify

Allen Moore of Semco LLC in Lafitte, La. on the

Intracoastal Canal, said “we didn't pick up any new busi- ness during the offshore moratorium, but we stayed busy because we also work with customers in the onshore drilling industry.” He added “of course, slow economic conditions have affected everyone.” Semco LLC is a ship- yard, building vessels and equipment for the offshore oil, natural gas and renewable energy industry. The company produces lift boats and drill barges.

Tibbs at Gulf Craft said “the U.S. has become over reg- ulated and the lawyers are in charge. Thankfully, we're building vessels that our customers can operate in inter- national waters to offset lost business in the U.S. Gulf.”

He added “it's sad to say that American companies have become dependent on other countries to support us.”

On a brighter note, Gulf Coast firms that can supply specialty equipment and vessels needed by oil companies to meet new safety rules may benefit from changes in federal regulations, industry members said. MN

Fleet Operators’ M/V Piper, a 40-ft Mini Supply Vessel with a 75-ft by 28-ft cargo deck and 17 total bunks. (Photo courtesy Fleet Operators)