Page 36: of Marine News Magazine (April 2011)

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would cost $47 million?” Guidry asked.

But he countered his own rhetorical question. “Do you want to build it today to meet the rules, or do you want to build for the future? I invest addi- tional capital to make sure that the long- term return is always going to be there.

It doesn’t pay to build less. We realize that we’re making that commitment for 10 years from now.”

According to Guidry, state-of-the-art for offshore vessels means better station keeping and the ENVIRO Plus nota- tion from ABS. The latest hulls are required to be longer, wider and deeper to accommodate more cargo and per- sonnel. In addition, the latest vessel technology includes “extensive comput- erized tracking of loading and discharge of cargo, all the additional safety fea- tures. It comes at a huge cost compared to 16 years ago.”

Fuel efficiency and reduced emissions are also sought after and Guidry said “all my vessels are built as green as the class society offers.” The ENVIRO Plus nota- tion will apply to the five Tiger Series offshore supply vessels Harvey Gulf is building, the first of which will be the

Harvey Supporter built by Eastern

Shipbuilding. “We’re going to have the first supply boats with 53 beds. The only ones being built.” According to Guidry, typical off- shore vessels have 20 to 24 beds, but

Harvey Gulf is spending $4 million extra for the additional rooms. “I’m doing it knowing that one day all of these sleeping quarters are going to be needed.” “Space is at a premium in the Gulf of

Mexico,” Guidry said, “a serious premi- um.” The space will not only be used for additional personnel needed to operate and maintain vessels, such as dedicated safety officers, but also for the addition- al personnel needed on rigs to satisfy increasing requirements for inspections and repairs on offshore platforms. 36 MN April 2011

The Harvey Discovery, equipped with a 65 metric ton knuckle boom crane, approaches a rig.