Page 60: of Marine News Magazine (November 2011)

60MNNovember 2011choose the appropriate propulsion equipment, and increase the strength of the hull structure--while seeking ways to keep vessel weight at a minimum,? he said. SEA- COR works with vessel designers, the shipyard that builds its boats and equipment suppliers to achieve efficient com- binations.SEACOR's crewboat, the M/V RJ Coco McCall, work- ing out of Port Fourchon, was built by Gulf Craft in Patterson, La. and delivered this year. The vessel is an example of a mono-hull design with increased horsepower as compared with most crewboats, McCall said. The 165- foot RJ Coco McCall reaches speeds exceeding 30 knots, even when carrying large cargoes, he noted. One of the company's fastest crew boats is the M/V SEA- COR Cheetah, a 170-foot catamaran delivered by Gulf Craft in March 2008 and working off the West African coast. ?With its twin-hull design, the Cheetah can reach speeds of 42 knots, or more than twice that of conven- tional, mono-hull crew boats,? McCall said. ?Another advantage is its stable work deck, which in high, choppy seas or bad weather, makes the ride safer and more com- fortable.? The CrewZer Class Cheetah is a fast crew-sup- (Photo courtesy: Seacor) ?The (Seacor) Cheetah has four MTU 16V 4000 M71 enginesrated at 3305 hp. Its high horsepower engines allow the vesselto achieve very high speeds when carrying time-critical cargoes. When cargoes are not as urgent, the Cheetah can cruise at an economical speed of 30 knots. The vessel has a fuel capacity of26,722 gallons and can carry 182 long tons of deadweight.? ?said Joe McCall, SECOR.MN#11 (50-65):MN 2011 Layouts 10/28/2011 10:31 AM Page 60