Eastern Shipbuilding launches M/V HARVEY BLUE-SEA for Harvey Gulf

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of the M/V HARVEY BLUE-SEA (Hull 250) on April 29, 2016 for Harvey Gulf International Marine, Inc. of New Orleans, LA. The HARVEY BLUE-SEA is the second of two 340’ Class Multi-Purpose Service Vessels (MPSV), designed by VARD Marine. The launching event was held at Eastern’s Allanton facility with hundreds of Eastern employees, several representatives from Harvey Gulf and guests in attendance. Father Roy Marien of Saint John’s Catholic Church of Panama City, Florida, performed the blessing of the vessel, the shipbuilding company said.

Joey D’Isernia, Eastern’s President, opened the ceremony by welcoming guests and sharing the long successful history between Eastern and Harvey Gulf. He talked of the capabilities of the HARVEY BLUE-SEA, and once delivered, will be one of the most sophisticated US Flag MPSVs in service in the world. The HARVEY BLUE-SEA will feature a 250MT AHC Knuckle Boom Offshore Crane with lift capabilities in up to 4000M of water, a helideck and accommodations up to 150 crew and offshore workers.

Harvey Gulf’s Owner Representative, Captain Pat Hughes, shared a few words about the history between Eastern and Harvey Gulf, the quality of craftsmanship and praising the leadership at Harvey Gulf and Eastern. Eastern’s own Julie Mathis, had the honor of christening the vessel. In attendance was Captain Pat Hughes, Harvey Gulf’s Operation Manager.

The HARVEY BLUE-SEA is the second of two MPSVs under construction at Eastern, from a design provided by VARD Marine. The HARVEY BLUE-SEA is expected to deliver in early 2017, after outfitting and sea trials are completed. The lead vessel, the HARVEY SUB-SEA, is also currently under construction. Eastern has delivered eleven (11) vessels previously to Harvey Gulf, including Offshore Supply Vessels, Light Construction Vessels and Ocean Service Tugs. Eastern is also actively building a Multi-Purpose Field Support Vessel (MPFSV) Hull 243 for Harvey Gulf, the HARVEY STONE.

Key particulars:
HGIM Designation: 340’ Class MPSV
ESG Hull #: H250 – 2nd Vessel in the Series of 2
Design: VARD Marine
Vessel Type: Multi-Purpose Service Vessel (MPSV)
Contract Date: October 15, 2013
Launch Date: April 29, 2016
Delivery Date: 1st Quarter 2017
Vessel Dimensions: (LOA) 340’x 73’x 29’-3”
Propulsion: Schottel: SRP 3030 FPP (VFD) Z-Drives, 2 x 4,489HP
(8,978HP)

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 deep-water operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

VARD Marine and Eastern Shipbuilding Group provided the 340’ Class MPSV design for these two vessels based on the very successful and proven Eastern Shipbuilding “Tiger Shark Class” Series. Currently twenty-two (22) Offshore Supply Vessels in this series have been delivered to Eastern’s clients and have already proven themselves in worldwide operations.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. has two new construction and repair facilities in Panama City, Florida and has been in business since 1976 building new, converting and repairing vessels in steel and aluminum of all types including offshore and harbor/escort tugs, offshore tugs, offshore/platform supply vessels, multi-purpose construction vessels, research vessels, firefighting vessels, barges, dredges, ferries, passenger vessels, fishing vessels and inland towboats. Eastern Shipbuilding is committed to providing a safe, clean workplace for its 1,800 employees, vendors, subcontractors and clients. Eastern’s maintains its role as one of the largest OSV/PSV and MPSV construction shipyard’s in the United States.