Bollinger Shipyards signed a contract for three 145 ft. supply/utility boats
with Edison Chouest Offshore. "It's wonderful to again be building boats for the Chouest organization," said Donald "Boysie" Bollinger, chairman and CEO of Bollinger.
Gary Chouest, president of Edison Chouest, said, "We look forward to building boats with a yard which has quality people, and products."
Vessels will meet new regulatory standards and will be less than 100 GT (U. S. Reg.) and less than 500 GT (ITC) registered tonnage. Each vessel will measure 145 x 36 ft. with a maximum draft of 11.5-ft. Normal operating draft will be eight ft.
A pair of Cummins KTA-38MO diesel engines rated 750 bhp at 1,600 rpm were selected to power the vessel, driving Bollinger 72 x 57 in., four-blade, stainless steel propellers through Twin Disc MG5301 reverse/reduction gears with a ratio of 4.96:1. The second and third vessels will be powered by two Caterpillar 3508B-diesel engines rated at 855 bhp at 1,600 rpm, driving 72 in., four blade NiBrAl propellers through Twin Disc MG 5301 reverse reduction gears with a ratio of 4.96:1. International Marine Systems Hydraulic steering will be installed at two pilothouse stations and a 272 hp Schottel, STT-110 bow thruster will aid steering on all three vessels.
The engines feature a package that meets new IMO emission standards. The boats' electrical power will be provided by two Cummins 6CTA8.36 diesels driving two Cummins 99 KW generators with direct drive liquid mud pumps off of the generator engines thereby eliminating belt systems.
Each of the new Chouest OSV's will be equipped with four liquid mud tanks and two Methanol tanks. Their large 95 x 32 ft. aft decks will be able to carry up to 390 long tons of cargo.
Their crew/passenger decks will emphasize crew comfort with larger staterooms and living quarters with extra sound proofing and carpeting and 20 tons of Carrier air conditioning and 25kW heating. Delivery of the first vessel will be summer 2002 with the remaining vessels following in October and December 2002. Contract terms were not disclosed.