Larry T. Rigdon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rigdon Marine, announced that the third of its 10 platform supply vessels — MV Royal — was christened and delivered for service. Royal was immediately deployed to begin work in the Gulf of Mexico.
Mrs. Mathilde Currence, the wife of Richard Currence Jr., Vice President, Operations christened the Royal at Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Company., Inc. of Mobile, Alabama. Royal joins the company's two other vessels, the Bourbon and the Orleans, which are also working in the Gulf of Mexico. "We are extremely pleased that drilling and seismic companies with operations in the Gulf of Mexico have vetted our vessels as being the most cost effective and operationally efficient ships available today," said Rigdon. "Their acknowledgement of our vessel's increased payloads and speed with reduced fuel consumption has come in the form of contracts to employ these technologically advanced ships." The Guido Perla and Associates designed (GPA 640) vessels are equipped with two stern-mounted Steerprop SP 20 azimuthing Z-drive units that are driven by two Alconza 2,100-hp variable-frequency AC electric motors, which provide the main propulsion. A further enhancement to the diesel- electric drives is the advanced dynamic positioning system and
vessel management system from Alstom Power Conversion.