Halter Completes Three-Crewboat Contract With Offshore Express

The 55-foot-long clear deck area and 55-passenger seating capacity are two features of Halter Marine's new hybrid-design 101-foot crewboats recently delivered to Offshore Express, Inc. of Houma, La. The Hurricane Express, Tornado Express, and Cyclone Express made up the three-vessel contract between Halter and the "express fleet." The new crewboats were designed with a short, low-profile house. The result is less wind resistance for improved slow-speed maneuvering in high winds, and a large cargo deck measuring 55 feet by 17 feet.

Robert Schmidt, general manager of Offshore Express, said the vessels combine the best of a crewboat and a utility boat into one package. "With a 30-ton deck capacity, we can carry gear and supplies normally left to the utility boat and still bring a full crew of up to 55 people out to the rig," he explained.

The Hurricane Express is under charter to Aminoil, USA as a hotshot boat carrying crew and supplies out of Cameron, La. Jack Daly, Aminoil offshore transportation manager, accepted the new aluminum vessel for charter.

The Hurricane Express attained a time trial speed of more than 28 mph driven by her three GM- 12v71TI diesel engines. The triplescrew craft has a 500-mile range with her 2,400-gallon fuel capacity.

The 101-foot crewboat has a 21-foot beam and 10-foot depth; she draws 5% feet of water. A spacious engine room houses the main diesels as well as two GM3- 71 30-kw generators. She has a potable water capacity of 500 gallons.

The Hurricane Express is certified for 150 miles offshore with her Sitex Loran-C Computer Navigator, which enables the vessel's captain to plot the most direct course to the rig. The device is particularly handy during night runs because it e l i m i n a t e s the need to search out landmarks and turn points, saving fuel and time.

Motorola VHF and SSB radios and a Sitex 32-mile-range radar are also mounted in the pilothouse.

She is equipped with two electrohydraulic steering stations, one facing aft for operating sternto the rig.

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 14, Jul 1980

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.