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those operators who have tonnage still under construction, the conversion option could look even more attractive as a midstream course change.

In the infancy of offshore oil exploration, innovative thinkers converted other tonnage – surplus vessels, ? sh- ing boats and other craft – to supply offshore rigs with equipment, mud and cement. In 1955, and in response to growing demand from the oil industry itself, the ? rst purpose-built so-called OSV was built with that now fa- miliar design that features a bow-situated wheelhouse and ? at afterdeck. In the middle of the worst offshore oil downturn since the mid-1980’s, it could well be that his- tory will repeat itself. This time, however, those OSV hulls will migrate back to another side of the marine equation.

If so, Damen will likely be at the heart of the movement. www.marinelink.com

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