Bordelon: Growth in the Gulf

September 15, 2005 will see the addition of yet another in Bordelon Marine's growing fleet of offshore supply vessels that make their owner's leaders in the mini-supply and mega-mini supply class of vessels. With hefty day rates and diverse requirements in the Gulf of Mexico oil fields, Bordelon has been developing its fleet to provide these vessels that are smaller than the standard OSV, but large enough to meet their clients' needs at more competitive rates than the big boats have to charge. Founded in 1979, the company has three 110-foot utility boats that provide a variety of services from dive tenders to oceanographic surveys and production support. In 2001 they took delivery of three Cummins-powered 150 x 36-ft. mini-off-shore supply vessels from Bollinger Shipyards. These boats have proven themselves in the Gulf oil industry. Their success has sent Bordelon back to Bollinger and Cummins for a slightly larger 163 x 36 ft. version. The extra 13 feet of length will allow the new boat, Sarah Bordelon and her sistership Marcelle Bordelon, to be delivered at the end of October 2005, significantly larger capacities while still maintaining the competitive day rates. Open after deck dimensions on the new vessels will be 115 x 32 ft. compared to 95 x 32 ft. on the mini-supply vessels. The 163-ft. mega-minis will carry up to 506 tons on deck, 57,200 gallons of fuel, 50,400 gallons (1200 barrels) of liquid mud and 64,200 gallons of potable water. They will each be powered, like their predecessors, by a pair of Cummins KTA38-M0 main engines each developing 750 hp at 1800 rpm. As with the highly successful 150-ft vessels, the 163-footers will have two Cummins-powered 99 kW generator sets and Cummins NT855 350 hp bow thruster. In addition to the usual suite of electronic navigational aides the new vessels will be equipped with Beier IVC2000 sets making them DP1 capable.