Offshore Express In $10-Million Expansion- 'Lightning Express1 Delivered By Progressive Shipbuilders

A $10-million expansion program has been announced by Offshore Express, Inc., a Houma, La.- based marine transportation firm.

Robert C. Schmidt, vice president and general manager of Offshore Express, said the company has taken delivery of the 102-foot crewboat L i g h t n i n g Express (shown above) by Progressive Shipbuilders and Fabricators of Houma. This is the first of five new boats the company will add to their fleet in 1981. Other fleet additions include a 166-foot liquid mud supply boat in July; a 110- foot utility boat in July; a 110- foot utility boat in August; and a 180-foot liquid mud supply boat in October.

"This will bring our total fleet to 19 — including a crewboat fleet of 11. Our crewboat capability is one of the largest in the Gulf of Mexico," Mr. Schmidt stated.

Offshore Express services clients exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Lightning Express is the 21st crewboat to be completed and delivered by Progressive Shipbuilders and Fabricators, Inc.

which, though a relatively young company in the industry, has become one of the most active crewboat builders on the coast, noted Joe Steverson, Progressive's president.

Mr. Steverson attributes his company's growth to "rigorous testing and inspection standards, and the fact we offer a package of extras which we consider standard on all of our 100-foot or more crewboats. One major extra, a result of design, is the 35 percent more open deck cargo capacity, a factor that enables the operator to squeeze all possible profit out of his runs." The Lightning Express has a 22-foot beam, is 102 feet long, carries 3,000 gallons of fuel and 600 of potable water. Seating capacity is 56 and crew quarters accommodate five, plus captain's stateroom.

Cruising speed is 22 knots.

Full instrumentation includes radar, Loran, single-sideband radio, VHF radio, Fathometer, compass, and searchlight.

The main propulsion engines are three GM Detroit Diesel Allison Model 12V71TI. The generator engines are two right hand rotation GM Detroit Diesels Mod- el 3-71, one air start and one 24V electrical start.

Primary ac power is supplied by two 30-kw generator sets or alternately by shore power. Emergency power for lighting, running lights and VHF radio is supplied by battery.

In addition to the 100-footclass crewboats, Progressive also builds smaller inland crewboats ranging in size from 48 to 65 feet.

These are produced in two models — a deep vee drawing 3y2 feet, and a shallow draft capable of operation in 21 •_> feet of water.

For further information on Progressive Shipbuilding's facilities, Write 11 on Reader Service Card

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 22, Aug 15, 1981

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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.