$30-Million, Eight Vessel Contract Signed By Halter And Tidewater Marine

Halter Marine, Inc., New Orleans, I.a., and Tidewater Marine Service, Inc. signed contracts recently for the construction of eight new tug supply vessels totaling $30.8 million.

The announcement was made by Sam S. Allgood, president of Tidewater Marine Service, and Harold P. Halter, president of Halter Marine.

Four of the vessels will he of Halter's new 200-foot Sea Master class and four will be Halter standard 192-foot vessels. The new Sea Masters will develop 6,140 bhp each and the 192-foot vessels will develop 4,600 bhp.

All eight of the boats will employ two-speed reverse reduction gears to deliver optimum bollard pull in the towing mode and maximum free running speed. All will be delivered between March and November 1982.

Mr. Halter said these new vessels are of special significance to his company because they are the first of a new generation of vessels designed to meet the need for larger, higher horsepower, multipurpose vessels. He added that the first Sea Master is hull number 1,000 for Halter Marine, which also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the company.

"I am pleased to usher in our next 25 years with the Sea Master," said Mr. Halter, "because they represent the aggressive, forward-thinking design and construction philosophy which has brought Halter Marine to its current position of world leadership." Mr. Halter said the Sea Master class vessels include significant visible and subtle design changes from other supply vessels which will make the new boats more fuel efficient and profitable for owners and operators.

The most visible difference will be the sharply tapered bow and stern with displacement concentrated amidships. The finer ends produce a faster, more seakindly, and easily driven hull with a relaxed motion in the seaway.

Also readily visible is the vessel's single chine construction which reduces maintenance because of fewer welds, corners, and damage-prone protrusions.

Displacement has also been increased by the use of a single chine and by increasing the beam and reducing the deadrise.

Also distinguishable will be the raised bow and increased freeboard for drier operations in rough seas. Visibility from the wheelhouse and control stations has been enhanced in all directions for safer and easier work and maneuverability.

Mr. Halter also said that payload capacities of the Sea Masters are comparable to much larger vessels. Clear deck space is 4,080 square feet and they can carry 6,000 cubic feet of dry bulk mud in tanks below deck, and 175,000 gallons of fuel oil.

Among the subtle changes in the new series are the placement of the ballast tanks aft and fuel tanks amidships and forward.

Mr. Halter said, "This makes the Sea Master more economical to operate because it can carry more fuel while maintaining trim. This in turn reduces the need to carry ballast water with its resultant penaltv of fuel consuming extra weight." Mr. Halter added that close attention also has been given to crew comfort and habitability at sea. Quarters have been modularized for better space utilization and adaptability to customer requirements.

They have been relocated to minimize the discomfort of pitching motion. The Sea Master series has living space for up to 24 crew.

Mr. Halter said the new vessels are the result of the company's vast experience in the design and construction of over 400 supply boats in the past 25 years.

Halter Marine owns and operates shipyards throughout the U.S. Gulf South and is the world's largest builder of supply vessels for the offshore oil and gas industry.

Other stories from September 1981 issue

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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.