January 9, 1982 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News

FMC Launches Ice-Strengthened Barge For Service In Beaufort Sea

FMC Corporation's Marine and Rail Equipment Division, Portland, Ore., recently delivered the ice-strengthened barge Arctic Endeavor to Crowley Maritime Corporation.

At Crowley Maritime's request, FMC accelerated its production schedule by 10 days, enabling Crowley to move the barge to the Beaufort Sea off Alaska's north coast while the Arctic Sea ice is still open this summer.

Measuring 205 feet long by 90 feet at the widest point of its teardrop shape, the Arctic Endeavor's ice-strengthened hull will clear ice and carry deck cargo to offshore oil operations. She will be pushed by two 2,110-hp tugs, also recently acquired by Crowley.

Designed for the shallow waters of the Beaufort Sea, Crowley says the Endeavor will effectively extend ocean supply operations to the offshore rigs until the ice pack thickens enough for ice roads to be completed.

FMC launched the Endeavor from their 750-foot-capacity sidelaunch ways, the largest on the West Coast. Occupying the same ways was a nearly completed 420- foot derrick barge under construction for Morrison-Knudsen Company and scheduled for launching in September.

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