Active offshore marine traffic from Port Fourchon, LA, during a recent business trip in middle December 2022, is indicative of the improved fortunes of the offshore drilling industry in the U.S. Gulf (USG) and the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).
Port Fourchon is Louisiana’s southernmost port, located on the southern tip of Lafourche Parish, on the Gulf of Mexico. It is a seaport, with significant petroleum industry traffic from offshore Gulf oil platforms and drilling rigs as well as the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) pipeline. Fourchon's primary service markets are domestic deepwater oil and gas exploration, drilling, and production in the U.S. Gulf (USG), a specialized port from where every type of offshore vessel departs to service the offshore drilling industry. Vessels that can be seen on a typical day are liftboats, accommodation vessels, platform supply vessels (PSV), offshore support vessels (OSV), utility vessels, supply vessels, crewboats, workboats, well stimulation vessels, anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels, diving support vessels (DSV), offshore tugs, construction vessels, and even semi-submersibles and mobile offshore drilling units (MODU).
Images of a few types of vessels we saw in a matter of an hour leisure time at the Port Fourchon waterfront:
MV ‘Harvey Intervention’ (Ex: Sisuaq) 89 LOA
Multi-Purpose Support built in 2012 at Eastern S.B.
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IDENTIFICATION: Ex-name: Sisuaq. Launch Name was Harvey Hauler. IMO Number 9581277, Call Sign WDG2721. Built at Eastern S.B. delivered in Apr 2012, United States Flagged, ABS Classed, P&I insurance with Steamship Mutual P&I, Length Overall of 89.03 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 85.37 m., Draught of 6.07 m., Beam Mld of 19.51 m., Gross Tonnage of 4,381, Design SV 300 (PSV 23 DE/Tiger Shark) by VARD Marine Inc. Engine Description 4 S.A. 16-cyl., Engine Model QSK60-DM, 2 FP Propellors, 2 Bow Thruster(s) of 2,360. CARGO HANDLING: - NOV SWL 165 tons at 15m., 3600m. maximum water depth (AHC) (knuckle boom). FiFi I Fire Fighting class, 2 Fire Monitor(s) with a capacity of 2,400 cu.m/hr.
PSV MV ‘Harvey Storm; (Ex: Bayou Bee)
Platform Supply Vessel (PSV), 2,799 DWT, built in 2009 at Bollinger Lockport
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IDENTIFICATION: Ex-name is Bayou Bee. IMO Number 9536234, Call Sign WDG5503, Built at Bollinger Lockport delivered in Oct 2009, Hull Number 564. United States Flagged, ABS Classed, P&I insurance with Steamship Mutual P&I, Length Overall of 64.03 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 61.80 m., Draught of 4.67 m., Beam Mld of 17.07 m., Gross Tonnage of 1,596, Tonnage of 587 International Net and 2,755 Dwt (long).
PSV MV ‘Harvey Stone’
Platform Supply Vessel (PSV), 1,589 DWT, built 2016
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IDENTIFICATION: Launch Name was Harvey Stone. IMO Number 9752577, Call Sign WHSO , Built at Eastern S.B. delivered in Jul 2016, Hull Number 234. , United States Flagged, ABS Classed, P&I insurance with Steamship Mutual P&I, Length Overall of 64.80 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 62.41 m., Draught of 5.50 m., Beam Mld of 18.01 m., Gross Tonnage of 2,343, Design RAmpage 6400 by Robert Allan. Moulded Depth of 7.80 m., Tonnage of 702 International Net and 1,564 Dwt (long).
MV ‘Gol Power’ (Ex: Harvey Spur)
Platform Supply Vessel (PSV), 1,500 DWT, built in 2003
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IDENTIFICATION: Ex-names: Harvey Spur, Gloria B. Callais. Call Sign WDH2201, IMO Number 8980701, Hull Number 353. DIMENSIONS/TONNAGES: Moulded Depth of 4.88 m., Tonnage of 330 International Net and 1,476 Dwt (long). Built at Master Boat Builders delivered in Nov 2003, United States Flagged, ABS Classed, P&I insurance with Steamship Mutual P&I, Length Overall of 60.96 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 55.47 m., Draught of 4.06 m., Beam Mld of 14.63 m., Gross Tonnage of 1,101. 2 x Diesel - Caterpillar 3512B-DITA - 4-stroke 12-cyl. 170mm x190mm bore/stroke 2,317mkW total at 1,600rpm. AUXILIARY 2 x Aux. Diesel Gen. - 4-stroke driving 2 x Marathon Electric AC generator(s) at 340ekW total, (425kVA total).
MV ‘Glenn Autry’
Crew/Fast Supply Vessel, built in 2016
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IDENTIFICATION: IMO Number 9806500, Call Sign WDI6846, built at Halimar delivered in Apr 2016, Hull Number 179. United States Flagged, ABS Classed, Length Overall of 62.64 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 52.43 m., Draught of 2.80 m., Beam Mld of 9.75 m., Tonnage of 142 International Net and 864 Dwt (long), Gross Tonnage of 484, Design ICA1212 205ft Monohull Crew Supply Vessel by Incat Crowther.
PSV MV ‘Agnes Candies’
Platform Supply Vessel (PSV), 5,400 DWT, built 2014 at Candies Shipbuilders
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IDENTIFICATION: Launch Name was Agnes Candies. IMO Number 9679438, Call Sign KAGK, built at Candies Shipbuilders delivered in Nov 2014, Hull Number 154. United States Flagged, LR Classed, Length Overall of 83.50 m., Draught of 5.97 m., Beam Mld of 18.29 m., Gross Tonnage of 3,563, Tonnage of 1,636 International Net and 5,315 Dwt (long). Caterpillar Engine, Speed of 10.00 kts, Horsepower of 5,837, Power Type: Diesel Electric.
MV ‘Loop Lifter’
Supply Vessel, 1,656 DWT, built in 1980
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IDENTIFICATION: IMO Number 8037657, Call Sign WYQ7524, built at North American delivered in Jan 1980, Hull Number 118. United States Flagged, P&I insurance with Skuld, Length Overall of 60.96 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 60.96 m., Draught of 3.95 m., Beam Mld of 15.24 m., Gross Tonnage of 298.
Tug MV ‘Crosby Admiral’ (Ex: Dolphin IV)
4,700 HP Tug, Anchor Hoy Built 1983
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IDENTIFICATION: Ex-names are Dolphin IV, Dumar IV, Rebekah Bruce, Edmond A. Curole. IMO Number 8213029, Call Sign WDF3563, built at Bollinger Lockport delivered in Mar 1983, Hull Number 164. United States Flagged, ABS Classed, Length Overall of 36.58 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 34.62 m., Draught of 4.27 m., Beam Mld of 9.75 m., Gross Tonnage of 397.
PSV MV ‘Cape Hatteras’ (Ex: Pat Tillman)
Platform Supply Vessel (PSV), 3,370 DWT, built 2007
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IDENTIFICATION: Ex-name is Pat Tillman. IMO Number 9421374, Call Sign WNSF, Built at Leevac Shipyard delivered in Jun 2007, Hull Number 342. United States Flagged, ABS Classed, Length Overall of 76.20 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 73.15 m., Draught of 5.03 m., Beam Mld of 17.07 m., Gross Tonnage of 2,183, Design 250 EDF by Hornbeck Offshore.
PSV MV ‘Odyssea Squire’ (Ex: Emily Candies)
Platform Supply Vessel (PSV), 5,883 DWT, built in 2005
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IDENTIFICATION: Ex-name is Emily Candies. Launch Name was Emily Candies. IMO Number 9302267, Call Sign WDH2359, built at Houma Fabrication delivered in Jun 2005Hull Number 136. United States Flagged, LR Classed, Length Overall of 80.77 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 73.98 m., Draught of 5.79 m., Beam Mld of 16.40 m., Gross Tonnage of 2,698.
MV ‘Webb Crosby’ (Ex: Compass Dominator)
Tug, 3,000 HP, built in 1975
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IDENTIFICATION: Ex-names: Compass Dominator, Crosby Challenger, David Reese. Built at Main Iron Works delivered in Jan 1975, United States Flagged, ABS Classed, Length Overall of 36.60 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 34.00 m., Draught of 4.21 m., Beam Mld of 9.76 m., Gross Tonnage of 365. Call Sign WDH2821, IMO Number 7390973, Hull Number 267. DIMENSIONS/TONNAGES: Moulded Depth of 4.86 m., Tonnage of 109 International Net., White Superior Engine, Speed of 11.00 kts, Marine Diesel Oil - Very Low Sulphur (VLS MDO), Horsepower of 3,000, Power Type: Diesel 4-Stroke.
MV ‘Bunny Bordelon’ 45 LOA
Utility/Workboat Vessel, built 2001at Bollinger Lockport
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IDENTIFICATION: IMO Number 9260756, Call Sign WDA5139, built at Bollinger Lockport delivered in Aug 2001, Hull Number 402. United States Flagged, P&I insurance with Shipowners P&I, Length Overall of 45.72 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 39.87 m., Draught of 2.43 m., Beam Mld of 10.97 m., Gross Tonnage of 435.
Tug MV ‘Crosby Trojan’ (Ex: La Esprit)
Tug / Anchor Hoy, 4,700 HP, built in 1982
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IDENTIFICATION: Ex-names: La Esprit, Nolty Theriot II. Call Sign WDF5278, IMO Number 8213017, Hull Number 163. Built at Bollinger Lockport delivered in Dec 1982, United States Flagged, ABS Classed, Length Overall of 36.58 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 36.58 m., Draught of 4.27 m., Beam Mld of 9.75 m., Gross Tonnage of 413. 2 x Diesel - Caterpillar 3606 - 4-stroke 6-cyl. 280mm x300mm bore/stroke 3,460mkW total at 900rpm. AUXILIARY 2 x Aux. Diesel Gen. - 4-stroke 150mkW total driving 2 x AC generator(s) at 60Hz. PROPULSOR 2 x FP Propeller (Aft) (mechanical) (Cast Steel). OTHER ENGINE EQUIPMENT 2 x Gearbox, Engine.
MV ‘Persistence Lab’ (Ex: Harvey Gator) 44 LOA
Utility/Workboat Vessel, built in 2009 at Master Boat Builders
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IDENTIFICATION: Ex-names are Harvey Gator, Callais Explorer. IMO Number 9549023, Call Sign WDH3222, built at Master Boat Builders delivered in Jan 2009, Hull Number 397. United States Flagged, ABS Classed, P&I insurance with American Club P&I, Length Overall of 44.21 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 41.46 m., Draught of 3.05 m., Beam Mld of 10.98 m., Gross Tonnage of 447.
MV ‘Sarah Bordelon’ 49 LOA
Utility/Workboat Vessel, built 2005 at Bollinger Lockport
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IDENTIFICATION: Launch Name was Sarah Bordelon. IMO Number 9350367, Call Sign WDC7198, built at Bollinger Lockport delivered in Oct 2005, Hull Number 493. United States Flagged, P&I insurance with Shipowners P&I, Length Overall of 49.83 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 47.40 m., Draught of 2.96 m., Beam Mld of 10.98 m., Gross Tonnage of 498.