Resulting from the recent developments in oil spill preparedness in the state of Alaska, various cruise ship operators have contracted Amak Towing of Ketchikan to construct oil recovery and storage barges for ports that hold cruise vessels.
Completing this task will be Kvichak Marine Industries, who will design, construct and deliver a total of eight barges to Amak, while Seapro will bareboat charter, maintain and operate the barges.
Working in pairs to recover and store recovered oil, the all-aluminum barges, which will measure 40 ft. (12.1 m) with a beam of 14 ft. (4.2 m), will each have a barrel holding capacity of 249.