Bollinger Converts Barge to ATB

Bollinger Gulf Repair L.L.C., (BGR), a Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., facility, has completed the retrofit and modifications of a Penn Maritime Inc. oceans tank barge to an OPA ‘90 compliant articulated unit. The 360-foot, 66,500 barrel black oil Barge POTOMAC arrived at Bollinger's New Orleans east facility and began the transformation from a single sided hull to double hull vessel with a new outer skin to meet the requirements of OPA '90. Her stern was modified and outfitted with the Beacon JAK connection system. The barges heating system received additional heating coils and a new 12 million BTU Vapower unit. A ballast system and a twelve-foot bow plug, along with an updated electrical system, were part of the conversions. When the POTOMAC's conversions were completed she departed the Bollinger facility measuring 372-feet with a capacity of approximately 80,000 barrels. Executive vice president for Bollinger, Ben Bordelon said, "Our communications with the customer and our dedicated employees were the key to the successful completion of this project. I cannot say enough about Penn and their team who supported Bollinger, and helped make this program a success." The POTOMAC is converted and inspected to the applicable rules of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) of shipping for Class Maltese A-1 Oil Tank Barge and the U. S. Coast Guard for the carriage of petroleum products of Grade A and lower for Unmanned Services in Oceans. With the re-delivery of the POTOMAC fully OPA ‘90 compliant, Penn has followed its departure with the contracting of the Penn No. 410 to Bollinger Gulf Repair for the double hull retrofit and modifications.