Eastern Shipbuilding Delivers Third Tiger Shark Vessel to Harvey Gulf

press release August 16, 2012

The HARVEY CHAMPION was delivered on August 7th, 2012

Eastern Shipbuilding Group Delivers Third “Tiger Shark Class” Vessel to Harvey Gulf International Marine.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the early delivery of the HARVEY CHAMPION, the third of three (3) 292 ft. Tiger Shark Class, Offshore Support Vessels being constructed for Harvey Gulf International Marine, LLC of New Orleans, LA. The HARVEY CHAMPION was delivered on August 7th, 2012 after successfully completing dock trials, sea trials and DP trials. The HARVEY CHAMPION is the 10th vessel that Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. has built and delivered to Harvey Gulf International Marine, LLC. since 2002.

Launched in February, the HARVEY CHAMPION is a DP II, SOLAS approved, FIFI 1 Classed, AC Diesel-Electric powered, twin Z-drive propelled OSV measuring 292’ X 64’ X 24’-6”. This high-tech vessel features four Cummins QSK60-DM 16-cylinder turbo-charged Tier II diesel generator engines that are rated 1825 Kw at 1,800 rpm provided by Cummins Mid-South. Main propulsion is provided by two Converteam/GE furnished Hyundai 2500 Kw 690v AC motors driving two Schottel SRP 2020 FP Z-drives with nozzles rated at 2,500 Kw at 1,025 rpm each for a total of 6,704 Hp. Schottel also provided two STT 4 fixed pitch tunnel thrusters rated at 1,180 Kw at 1,170 rpm each with direct coupled Hyundai 690v AC electric motors. Converteam/GE provided the complete integrated diesel electric package including drives, motors, switchboards, motor control centers, automation and navigation/ communication electronics. The vessel is capable of a maximum speed of 14 knots with a cruising speed of 12 knots.

Total below-deck capacities of the OSV include 241,408 gallons of fuel, 602,297gallons of water ballast, 19,480 BBL of liquid mud, 14,350 cu. ft. of bulk mud, 1,700 BBL of methanol and 16,728 gallons of potable water.

STX Canada Marine out of Vancouver, Canada provided the design based on two earlier vessels built at Eastern for Harvey Gulf. With the addition of several enhancements, these vessels have stepped up the technology level with capability for world-wide operations. The fully integrated bridge is arranged for increased visibility and features the latest technology in navigation and communication equipment. All three (3) vessels are ABS classed, A1, AMS,  ACCU, Circle E, Enviro +, Green Passport, Offshore Support Vessel and certified under SOLAS. ABS class includes the ABS DPS-2 notation and FIFI 1.

These vessels are built to the highest class, environmental and safety standards. Crew comfort is paramount and Eastern hired Noise Control Engineering of Billerica, Mass. to provide recommendations for reduction of noise and vibration to meet the latest IMO standards. The highly technical wheelhouse features the latest technology in Navigation and Communication equipment.

Harvey Gulf is also constructing a 302 ft. Multi-Purpose Light Construction Vessel at Eastern, the HARVEY DEEP-SEA, which will be ABS Classed similar to the HARVEY CHAMPION but with FIFI 2. It will be equipped with an active heave-compensated, National Oilwell Varco supplied, 165-ton knuckle boom crane capable of lifting/setting 100 tons at depths up to 10,000 ft. The HARVEY DEEP-SEA is scheduled for delivery in May 2013 and will fill a niche in a very selective market.

Founded in 1955, Harvey Gulf International Marine is a marine transportation company that specializes in towing drilling rigs and providing offshore supply and multi-purpose support vessels for deepwater operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. has two shipyard facilities in Panama City, Florida and has been in business since 1976 building, converting and repairing vessels in steel and aluminum of all types including tugs, barges, offshore support vessels, research vessels, firefighting vessels, crew vessels, barges, ferries, passenger vessels, fishing vessels and towboats.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group is currently under contract to build thirteen similar vessels for customers here in the United States and in Brazil. These new contracts will maintain Eastern’s role as one of the largest manufacturer of OSV’s in the United States. To fulfill its manpower requirements, Eastern is increasing its training programs and is hiring upwards of 300 new employees in all shipbuilding trades to handle the added work.