Blue Streak-Gulf Island Operations Christens Giant Lift Boat

16th Vessel Joins The Fleet The Gulf Island V, a giant selfelevating, self-propelled lift boat capable of servicing rigs in deep water, was christened recently in New Orleans by its operator, Blue Streak- Gulf Island Operations of Belle Chasse, La.

The vessel was christened by Patsy Hadaway, wife of John Hadaway, executive vice-president of Gulf Island Marine of Baton Rouge, La.

The new 96-foot by 48-foot boat is equipped with three 175-foot legs enabling the jackup vessel to work in water up to 125 feet.

Dennis Good, president of Blue Streak-Gulf Island Operations, said the Gulf Island V is one of the largest and most versatile vessels of its type in the world. It includes airconditioned quarters and galley facilities for 42 persons, a large heliport, a 75-ton-capacity crane, two 75-kw generators, 3,200 square feet of open deck space for up to 250,000 pounds of deck cargo and more.

Lift boats move to and from offshore installations under their own power. Once alongside a rig or platform, the boat lowers its elevated legs to the ocean floor and becomes a stable platform from which a variety of work is performed. Some of the more than 20 functions are: sandblasting and painting; wireline work; pile and conductor driving; salvage work; work platform for fabrication crews; quarters for work crews; diving support; and coring.

Blue Streak-Gulf Island Operations operates a fleet of 16 self-propelled lift boats with leg lengths from 75 feet to 200 feet. Mr. Good noted that all 16 vessels in the Blue Streak-Gulf Island Operations fleet are currently under work contracts.

The new boat was built by Blue Streak Industries, Inc. of Pearlington, Miss. Blue Streak is currently one of the world's largest builders of lift boats, having built and delivered 30 such vessels since 1979.

For additional information and free literature on Blue Streak-Gulf Island Operations vessels, capabilities and services Circle 27 on Reader Service Card