Ocean Deck Barge Sold

Marcon International, Inc. announced the sale of the 5,000tdw ocean deck barge Mitkof Provider from Alaska Marine Lines of Seattle, Wash., to Island Tug and Barge Co., also of Seattle. The 280’ x 60’ x 17’ barge was originally built in 1969 by Todd Shipyard, Seattle, Wash. as the “Vanliner 280” and after converted and named “Foss 280” served first as the foundation of a 221 man camp for Prudhoe Bay operations in the Arctic and later housed personnel involved in the Exxon Oil Spill Cleanup.. She was sold by Foss in the early – mid’90’s to Alaska Marine Lines who eventually removed the modular housing units and installed a new 7’ high fence and concrete deck with steel “T” beams every 42” allowing the barge to trade as a conventional flat deck barge. Island Tug and Barge Co. is renaming the barge “ITB-280” and will use her in aggregate service in the Puget Sound region. This is the fourth deck barge Marcon has sold Island Tug and Barge over the past three years. To-date Marcon has handled the sale or charter of 22 vessels and barges this year with sales on several additional vessels and barges expected to close within the next 30 days. Marcon International has also reported the sale of the U.S. flag, ABS classed, 254 ft. by 44 ft. by 16 ft., U.S. flag supply boat “Seacor Clipper” (ex-Nicor Clipper) from Seacor Marine of Houston, Texas to Aries Marine of Lafayette, Louisiana. The vessel was built 1983 for Nicor Marine Service, Inc. of New Orleans by Moss Point Marine, Inc. and originally designed as a 6,000 BHP, 214’ anchor handling tug supplier, but before she was completed, the hull was lengthened 40’ and horsepower was reduced to meet the requirements to carry containers for the Military Sealift Command in Florida. When launched, she was believed to be one of the largest offshore supply vessels ever built in the United States. Her high fuel capacity, oversize Falk reduction gears, and large engine room layout remain from her initial design. As presently laid out, the vessel has a deadweight capacity of abt. 1,697 tons carrying 1,000 long tons of deck cargo on a 177’ x 32’ deck and 236,444 gallons fuel. She is powered by a pair of EMD 12-567’s providing a total of 2700BHP. The vessel will be re-named the “Elsa Leigh” after one of the Owner’s daughters, and will be reconfigured with thrusters fore and aft, in order to accommodate a DP function. In addition, tankage capacity will be increased to allow the vessel act in the capacity of an offshore supply vessel. Marcon acted as the sole broker in the sale. This is the fourth supply vessel Marcon has sold to Aries Marine and the fifth vessel we have sold from Seacor.