Eastern Launches Another Hornbeck Vessel

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. announced the launch of the HOS Black Watch (Hull 208) on Friday June 6, 2014 for Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC. The HOS Black Watch is Eastern’s fourth vessel in Hornbeck Offshore’s HOSMAX 310 class series.

The launching event was held at Eastern’s Allanton facility with hundreds of Eastern employees and guests in attendance. Also attending from Hornbeck was Bill Krewsky, Director of Engineering and Project Management, who spoke about the ongoing long term commitment, partnership and future of the two companies. Once again thanking Eastern’s management team and its employees for the quality of workmanship, the ongoing on time vessel deliveries and praised the operational performance of Eastern HOSMAX Vessels. The HOS Red Dawn, HOS Red Rock, HOS Renaissance and HOS Riverbend have delivered to their clients, supporting deep water drilling operations. In addition, Scott Siberski, HOS Manager of Projects, Jim O’Kane and Jim Clendenon witnessed the launch of the eighth of twelve HOSMAX Offshore Supply Vessels and MPSVs under contract with Eastern.

Chief Engineer Dennis Martin, Senior Fleet Assessor, another longtime employee of Hornbeck Offshore along with his wife Sherra christened the vessel. Prior to the launch, Eastern’s President Brian D’Isernia, said a few words about the dedication, commitment and hard work of his employees, the future the two companies share; the continued growth of Eastern Shipbuilding and the offshore marine industry in the United States and abroad. Father Roy Marien of Saint John’s Catholic Church of Panama City, Florida, performed the blessing of the vessel.

Eastern’s HOSMAX launch and delivery sequence started in 2013, with three vessels delivered with two additional vessels delivered in early 2014. Eastern continues to live up to it’s on time and on budget commitment to its clients. The HOS Black Foot is the sixth vessel overall and is currently at Eastern completing final regulatory commissioning and DP-2 trials and will deliver later this month.

The HOS Black Watch is the fourth of six Eastern vessels designated as the HOSMAX 310 series by Hornbeck Offshore and is a diesel-electric powered, twin Z-drive propelled OSV. These high-tech vessels feature four Caterpillar 3516C 16-cylinder turbo-charged Tier III diesel generator engines each rated at 1,825 kW at 1,800 rpm. Main propulsion power is provided by two GE Energy furnished Hyundai 2,500 kW 690VAC electric motors driving two Schottel SRP 2020 FP Z-Drives with nozzles rated at 2,500 kW at 1,025 rpm each for a total of 6,704 Hp. Schottel is also providing two STT 4 fixed pitch tunnel thrusters rated at 1,180 kW at 1,170 rpm, each with direct coupled Hyundai 690VAC electric motors. GE Energy Power Conversions is providing the complete system integrated diesel electric package, including the propulsion and thruster drives, motors, control systems, DP system, switchboards, motor control centers, automation and navigation/communication electronics. These vessels are capable of a maximum speed of 14 knots with a cruising speed of 12 knots. The fully integrated bridge is arranged for increased visibility and features the latest technology in navigation, communication equipment.

The HOSMAX 310 Offshore Support Vessels feature the following characteristics:
Dimensions: 302’x 64’x 26’
Deadweight Tonnage: 6,144 LT
Total Fuel Oil Capacity: 285,649 USG
Fuel Oil Day-tanks 23,752 USG
Drill Water/Ballast Capacity: 609,227 USG
Potable Water Capacity: 62,538 USG
Liquid Mud Capacity: 21,509 bbl. (10) Tanks
Dry-bulk Mud: 14,347 Cu. ft. (7) Tanks
Methanol Capacity 2,212 bbl. (2) Tanks
Clear Deck Area: 11,137 Sq. ft.

All ten of the HOSMAX Offshore Supply Vessels under contract are USCG, ABS Classed A1, Offshore Support Vessel and Ocean Service, Loadline, AMS, ACCU, Circle E, DPS-2 with additional ABS Class notations UWILD, ENVIRO, FFV-1 and certified under SOLAS/IMO. Additionally, HOS has contracted with Eastern for two HOSMAX 310ES Multi-Purpose Supply Vessels (MPSV’s) with accommodations for 73 persons, a 250MT subsea crane, moon pool, helideck and two ROV/LARS units.

The two HOSMAX 310ES Multi-Purpose Platform Supply Vessels are to be ABS Classed Hull and Machinery, Oceans Service and reviewed for the United States Coast Guard under the Alternate Compliance Program (ACP 2-95) with the following Class Notations, A1, AMS, ACCU, DPS-2, UWILD, FFV-1, Circle E, Offshore Support Vessel (HNLS, HDC, HLC), GP, RRDA, HELIDK, ENVIRO, CRC, SPS (Special Purpose Ship) and certified under SOLAS/IMO.

STX Canada Marine and Eastern Shipbuilding Group provided the STX SV310 design for these vessels based on the very successful and proven Eastern Shipbuilding Tiger Shark Class Series. Fifteen other Offshore Supply Vessels in this series have been delivered to Eastern’s clients and have already proven themselves in worldwide operations.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group is currently under contract constructing a total of twelve vessels of similar size and complexity for customers here in the United States and in Brazil.