Moss Point Building Five Other Vessels For Joint Venture

Construction has begun on the first of five new offshore oil-field service vessels for Argosy Offshore Ltd., a joint venture consisting of Tenneco Oil Co., Philadelphia Life Insurance Co. and Wilhelmsen of Norway. The vessels will be constructed by Moss Point Marine Inc., Escatawpa, Miss.

Included in the five-vessel package are a trio of 181-foot offshore rig supply vessels and a pair of 140-foot utility vessels. Delivery of the final workboat in the package is set for early summer 1984.

"We're very proud and happy to have this new construction order by Argosy," commented Moss Point Marine president John Dane I I I.

"We look upon this as an indication that things in our industry may begin to perk up again soon and that brighter days lie ahead." The three aft-stacks 181 by 40 by 14 supply vessels will each be powered by a set of GM 16-149-NA main engines and Twin Disc Model 540 reduction gears. Each vessel will register under 300 gross tons.

A set of GM 16-V92 main engines will power the smaller utility vessels, which will measure 140 by 32 by 11. Twin Disc Model 527 reduction gears are also included aboard the aft-stacks vessels.

Gross tonnage will measure under 100.

"Moss Point is pleased and proud to be a part of Argosy's future as it related to offshore oil exploration, research and production," Mr.

Dane said . . . we've come a long way in a relatively short time, and we look forward to a solid, progressive 1984 and beyond." A long way quickly is the best way to describe accurately the relatively brief three-year record attained by Moss Point Marine. Since construction began in August 1980 on a 180-foot offshore deck barge, a total of 36 vessels have been constructed and delivered—vessels of all sizes and shapes. This is an enviable one-per-month average delivery record.

The complete MPM delivery record reflects the diversity and flexibility of the shipyard and its ability to construct a wide variety of offshore work vessels: 10 offshore deck barges in sizes from 140 feet to 250 feet; two 114-foot utility vessels; two 65-foot standby vessels; and 22 offshore supply and supply/towing vessels ranging in size from 173 feet to 254 feet.

Assisting Mr. Dane in the top administration of the shipyard are vice presidents Burnice Havard, Chalin O. Perez Jr. and Jack Dane. All four men bring a considerable amount of shipbuilding, financial, legal and overall administrative experience and skill to their key positions. Staff duties are the responsibility of Dan Strahan and Steve Snowdon, also seasoned shipyard veterans.

MPM uses a modular construction process that allows for the building of several vessels simultaneously.

This system optimizes the yard's construction capacity.

The work force currently numbers 225.

The shipyard's tilt beam launch system will accommodate vessels up to 300 feet in length. In the late spring of 1983, MPM launched a 254-foot supply/towing/container deck vessel (Nicor Clipper—owned by Nicor Marine, Inc.). Three 250- foot offshore deck barges have also been launched at the yard utilizing its tilt beam system.

For complete literature on all services offered by MPM,

Other stories from November 1983 issue

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