Bollinger Shipyard delivers third platform supply vessel to Rigdon Marine

(HOUSTON, TX — November 15, 2007) Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, Louisiana has recently delivered the platform supply vessel (PSV) Triple Play, to Rigdon Marine.

The third high-specification PSV in a ten-vessel series, Triple Play was immediately deployed on a term contract with a major oil company in the Gulf of Mexico. Triple Play joins Double Eagle and First And Ten in the 4000 Class Ridgon fleet.

Triple Play measures 190 x 46 x 18 feet, and features a capacity of 4,000 barrels of liquid mud in an oval, self-cleaning, segregated tank system.  The vessel features three Z-Drives and two large forward tunnel thrusters.

“These modern vessels are proving very versatile, exhibiting excellent sea-keeping characteristics and are delivering significant fuel savings to their charterers, thanks in large part to the diesel-electric propulsion philosophy. Bollinger Shipyards is to be commended for its high-quality standards and skilled workmanship,” said Billy Guice, a vice president at Rigdon Marine.

The Rigdon 4000 Class PSVs are capable of serving a wide array of marine applications in all water depths. The remaining seven PSVs will be delivered during 2007 and through the third quarter of 2008.

Designed by Guido Perla and Assosiates Inc. (GPA), the 654 PSVs are capable of carrying 144 cubic meters of bulk material and 652 cubic meters of liquid mud in self-cleaning oval tanks. As a result of the vessel’s diesel-electric propulsion configuration, fuel efficiency is increased, thus resulting in cost savings, lower emissions and higher reliability. The vessels are equipped with one 435 kW main and two 1,235 kW diesel generators, one 843 kW fixed and two 843 kW azimuthing L-Drives, two 560 kW bow tunnel thrusters, as well as one 113 kW emergency generator. GPA’s priorities are client satisfaction and crewmember safety. In addition to the reduced construction cost and fuel efficiency, the owner benefits from the highest safety standards and comfort levels, which allows offshore operations to be conducted without risk to the health or security of crewmembers. The GPA 654 PSV is currently the smallest of the GPA Platform Support Vessel series, which ranges in size from 58 meters to 92 meters in overall length. With 23 of GPA’s PSV designs currently serving the offshore industry and an additional 103 vessels entering service within the next two years, GPA has established its position as the worldwide leader in naval architectural design of Next Generation Platform Support Vessels. In response to this significant increase and several other design and construction projects in other types of vessels, GPA is confidently investing in additional staff and equipment in their Seattle and Shanghai offices to better facilitate its ever-growing clientele while maintaining excellent quality and support to existing customers who have loyally supported GPA in achieving its current position in the maritime industry.

By Professional Mariner Staff