The following is the text of a news release from Eastern Shipbuilding Group:
(ALLANTON, Fla.) — Eastern Shipbuilding Group Inc. is pleased to announce the launching of the HOS Black Rock (Hull 207) on Friday March 28, 2014 for Hornbeck Offshore Services LLC. The HOS Black Rock is Eastern’s third 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 attending despite rainy weather.
Attending from Hornbeck was Bill Krewsky, director of engineering and project management. He spoke about the continued long-term commitment, partnership and future of the two companies. Once again he praised the quality of workmanship, the ongoing vessel deliveries and the operational performance the HOSMAX 300 class, including 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 the newest member to the Hornbeck team Jim Clendenon witnessed the launch of the seventh of 12 HOSMAX offshore supply vessels and MPSV’s under contract with Eastern.
Capt. John E. Poe, another longtime employee of Hornbeck Offshore, will be taking the vessel to sea as master once she delivers this summer. His wife Robin had the honors of christening the vessel. Prior to the launch, Eastern’s President Brian D’Isernia said a few words about the future the two companies share; the continued growth of Eastern Shipbuilding and the offshore marine industry in the United States and abroad. Deacon Tim Warner 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, and in early 2014, with two additional vessels delivered achieving its 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 outfitting, regulatory commissioning and DP-2 trials.
The HOS Black Rock is the third 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 10 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 (MPSVs) 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.
Eastern Shipbuilding is very pleased to be a part of the Hornbeck Offshore mission to be the company of choice for its customers, employees and investors as the vessels that we construct for them are launched and subsequently delivered into service.
Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc. is a leading provider of technologically advanced, new generation offshore service vessels primarily in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Latin America. Hornbeck Offshore currently owns a fleet of 60 vessels primarily serving the energy industry.
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. Twelve 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 12 vessels of similar size and complexity for customers here in the United States and in Brazil. These contracts will maintain Eastern’s reputation as the largest OSV/PSV and MPSV new construction shipyard in North America.
