Gulf Craft Inc News

It's 8:30 a.m. as the Big Cat Express saddles up to the dock at the Port of Morgan City, La. It is Sea Trial day for the big quad engine catamaran ferry. No question she is waterjet powered as the tops of the blue "buckets" of the four Hamilton Jet 651's break the surface of the water at the stern. Just above the buckets are the exhausts, large four stainless steel pipes that curve downward toward the water. About 25 pickup trucks and my Ford Taurus wait the arrival of the 150-ft. by 34-ft. vessel. Painted gleaming white, the three-deck vessel looks like it was built for speed. Today we will find out just how fast it can travel. Emerging from the vehicles were several executives from Gulf Craft, Inc.

In late May Gulf Craft Inc. delivered what is touted as the world's largest Crew/Supply Vessel, M/V Granville C. McCall, to Seacor Marine, Inc. of Houston. The vessel is powered by five Cummins KTA-50-M2 diesel engines rated at 1,800 bhp @ 1,900 rpm, each coupled with a Twin Disc, model MG-6848, 2.93:1 reduction ratio gear. Each engine turns a four blade Teinbridge 54 x 54-in. Nibral propeller providing a light ship speed of 25 knots and fully loaded speed of 20 knots. The vessel, to enhance manueverability, features a Thrustmaster 400 hp azimuthing thruster, powered by a Cummins N-14-M diesel engine. Twin 99KW Cummins 6BT5.9-G2 generators supply electrical power for the vessel's services and a Cummins 6CT8.3 diesel engine powers the Leroi WE 150 IIM - 80 PSI bulk compressor.

Four years into the new Millennium designers of workboats are incorporating new technologies and greater efficiencies into their designs to produce vessels that can do more work and do it better than designs of just a few years ago. This is very prevalent in the oil patch where today's supply boat designs emphasize more efficient vessels that can carry as much material to the rig or platform as vessels 30-40 ft. longer in years past. "Our new 207 ft. supply vessels can carry over 6,000 barrels of liquid mud," said Robert Socha, marketing manager of Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, La. "That is a key feature of these vessels that can work the new deeper gas wells on the shelf and also carry drilling liquids to the growing number of deepwater wells now in service," Socha added.

Honduras-based operator Safeway Maritime Transportation Co., has taken delivery of its first Incat Crowther catamaran ferry for operation on the north coast of Honduras. It will run between the main land city of La Ceiba and Isla de Roatán in the Caribbean Sea. The vessel is a 150.9 ft. (46m) high speed catamaran ferry capable of carrying 460 passengers at a speed of 36 knots. The main cabin accomodates 237 passengers seated in rows. The mid deck first class cabin has seating for 60 passengers primarily seated in rows. This cabin also has its own kiosk and toilet facilities. In addition there is a small VIP cabin for 8 passengers with access from the wheelhouse. An outdoor seating area for 150 passengers is fitted aft of the mid deck cabin and protected from the elements by enclosed sides.

Honduras-based operator Safeway Maritime Transportation Co., has just taken delivery of its first Incat Crowther catamaran ferry for operation on the north coast of Honduras between the main land city of La Ceiba and Isla de Roatán in the Caribbean Sea. The vessel is a 150.9 ft. (46m) high speed catamaran ferry capable of carrying 460 passengers at a speed of 36 knots. The main cabin contains seating for 237 passengers seated in rows. A simple kiosk area is located aft along with toilet facilities and a large luggage room. A centrally located boarding station provides quick access to all parts of the vessel allowing the vessel to load and unload efficiently. The mid deck first class cabin has seating for 60 passengers primarily seated in rows.

Florida based operator Key West Express LLC, has taken delivery of its third Incat Crowther catamaran ferry for operation along the west coast of Florida between Fort Myers and Key West. The vessel is a 52m high speed catamaran ferry capable of carrying 513 passengers at a speed of 41.5 knots. The main cabin contains seating for 268 passengers in a mix of lounge, bar and row seating. Catering facilities are a feature of the vessel, which has a journey time of approximately 3.5 hours. A centrally located bar provides full cocktail drinks service with counterside seating for 9. A kiosk, providing pre-packaged food, snacks and gifts is located aft amongst casual lounge and kiosk seating. The mid deck cabin has seating for 147 passengers primarily seated in rows.

Trico Marine Services, Inc. announced that Trico and GE Commercial Equipment Financing have entered into an agreement that will provide approximately $11.4 million of funding for the marine services company. Under the operating lease arrangement, GE will pay Trico approximately $11.4 million for three 155-foot crew boats currently being built for the company by Gulf Craft, Inc. Upon the completion of each vessel, GE will charter the vessels to Trico. The charters will have 10-year terms and include options for Trico to purchase the vessels after eight years at specified prices, and also at the end of the 10-year term for their fair market value. Shipyard deliveries of the vessels are expected in October and December 2002, and January 2003.

No one ever said that working on the inland rivers or in the Gulf of Mexico on a vessel was a picnic. It is axiomatic that the hours are long, the work physically demanding and the workplace environment potentially dangerous. That is why newer deliveries emphasize crew habitability. Vessel owners and operators know that well-rested and well-fed crews are safer crews and safety cannot be over emphasized in this severe setting. That is why there has been a significant upgrading in crew accommodations, galleys and entertainment and communications options. The three workboats profiled below offer proof positive that today's "crew friendly" boats are safer and more enjoyable places to work. No vessel type has more personnel on board than a crew boat.