The 95-foot J.L. O’Brien, delivered in February, is the fourth oil spill response vessel (OSRV) built by Midship Marine Inc. for Clean Gulf Associates, a nonprofit cooperative in New Orleans.
The $5 million boat is docked in Leeville, La., next to the offshore hub of Port Fourchon, for around-the-clock cleanups in the Gulf of Mexico.
Rick Hinojosa, design manager at Midship Marine in Harvey, La., explained how his company landed the work. “After we repaired a CGA vessel seven years ago, CGA management asked us for price quotes to build three (Coast Guard)-approved, live-aboard 95-foot oil skimmers,” he said. “Until then, no vessels like that had been built. There were hurdles to cross, particularly because live-aboard skimmers are typically constructed of steel, which easily meets fire criteria.”
After meetings with the Coast Guard, plans were hammered out and construction began on the nation’s first fleet of all-aluminum OSRVs. “Our goal was to make these vessels user-friendly and not complicated to operate,” Hinojosa said. “It was a joint effort between us and CGA to accomplish this.”
In April 2013, Midship delivered Breton Island, following H.I. Rich and Galveston Island in the series. The boats, positioned in Venice, La., the Port of Vermilion, La., and Galveston, Texas, respectively, exceeded everyone’s expectations, Hinojosa said.
Denne historien er fra American Ship Review 2018-utgaven av Professional Mariner.
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Denne historien er fra American Ship Review 2018-utgaven av Professional Mariner.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Mariner's role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed
Mariners’ role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed
Piracy edges closer to home with wave of raids in southern Gulf
In the brief cellphone video recorded by a crewmember on the offshore supply vessel (OSV) Remas, the pirates walk back and forth on the deck of the ship, clenching their guns and using them to point as they order around the crew. Their faces are draped in clothing and bandanas.
Casualties
NTSB: Dredge hit Texas gas pipeline, causing fire that killed four
IMO emissions report raises new concerns about methane slip
A recent report from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reveals that global shipping emissions increased nearly 10 percent from 2012 to 2018, with the industry facing a growing challenge concerning methane slip.
Bay State brothers find industry niche by making old into new
Zero non-conformities is what you want to hear when the U.S. Coast Guard inspects your tugboat. Once you’ve prepared your vessel, the inspectors come aboard to peruse your paperwork. They ask you pointed questions, to which they expect straightforward answers. Perusal completed, they then scrutinize all of the related safety systems, from bilge to antennas — even the ship’s bell.
Signals
A year into the pandemic, thousands ‘essentially indentured’ on ships
Analysis points to faulty loading, low ballast in Golden Ray rollover
While the salvage of the sunken vehicle carrier Golden Ray has been delayed for months due to COVID-19 and the hurricane season, analysis by the U.S. Coast Guard has determined a possible cause for the rollover: a combination of vehicles placed too high on the ship’s decks, and not enough ballast water gave the placement of the cargo.
Seastreak newcomer pushing through dip in demand
Two years ago, Seastreak LLC took delivery of Seastreak Commodore, a 600-passenger fast ferry, from Gulf Craft of Franklin, La. Designed by Australia-based Incat Crowther, the vessel is the largest of its kind in the United States and was built to meet the burgeoning demand for service in the New York-New Jersey market.
New year in a new world: Navigating COVID's maritime realities
In a matter of days, the decorative time balls will drop, “Auld Lang Syne” will fill the air, and ships at anchor will sound their horns as the world welcomes in the new year.
Advanced props, rudders provide new efficiencies below the waterline
It took a decade or two from the invention of the marine propeller in the 19th century for the technology to become widely accepted. Thereafter, adoption has been nearly universal, but progress toward improved efficiencies has come in fits and starts.
