Fireboat Gulf Fleet No. 40— 100th Vessel Joins A Growing Fleet

Gulf Fleet Marine Corporation demonstrated its powerful new fireboat recently at the Poydras Street wharf in New Orleans.

Named Gulf Fleet No. 40, the new boat is the 100th vessel to join Gulf Fleet Marine's growing fleet of tugs, towing/supply vessels, crew and utility boats, and offshore deck barges.

Built in Houma, La., by Quality Shipyards, Inc., a Gulf Fleet company, the new boat was designed from the keel up as a fireboat and towing/supply vessel for service with the offshore petroleum industry.

She is classed by the American Bureau of Shipping A-l (AMS) All Oceans, Towing.

Carrying a crew of seven, the boat is 185 feet long with a beam of 40 feet and depth of 14 feet.

Clear deck space is 105 feet by 32 feet, and maximum deck cargo is about 550 tons. The two main engines are General Motors EMD units that develop a total of 3,900 bhp. They drive twin Avondale propellers through Reintjes reduction gears to provide a speed of 13 knots.

Navigation and communications equipment includes two Decca radar units, Sperry autopilot and gyrocompass, Micrologic Loran C, two Drake VHF-FM radios, Motorola Triton SSB radio, and Raytheon Fathometer.

Gulf Fleet No. 40 incorporates a special fire-fighting system developed by Gulf Fleet, which meets the requirements of Det norske Veritas for height and distance or water stream throw. The system is capable of projecting 10,000 gallons of water per minute 400 feet through four 6-inch nozzles.

Power for the system is provided by two 5,000-gpm, horizontal split case Warren pumps driven by Detroit Diesel engines. The system also includes 8,600 gallons of fire foam liquid storage, and a 2,000- gallon oil dispersement system.

At the introduction ceremonies, Gulf Fleet Marine president Dick Currence said that the new boat represents a dual achievement for the company. "First, it marks the 100th vessel to join our fleet.

That's a significant goal towards which we've been building for many years. Second, the technology we have built into this fireboat represents a breakthrough in the design of offshore fire-fighting and service equipment. It's one of the most powerful boats of its type available anywhere in the world today, and we're proud to add it to our fleet." The Gulf Fleet No. 40, a U.S.- flag vessel, will be owned and operated by Gulf Fleet Marine, and will be chartered ultimately to Gulf of Suez Petroleum Company, a joint venture of Egyptian General Petroleum Company and Amoco (Standard Oil of Indiana).

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 10, Jul 1980

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