Grand Slam PSV delivered

Bollinger Shipyard in Lockport, Louisiana, has delivered the Grand Slam, the fourth of the ten-series GPA 654 Platform Support Vessels, designed by Guido Perla & Associates, Inc., that won the “Significant Boats of 2007” award during the Workboat Show in New Orleans.

The design of the DP2- and FFV1-certified GPA 654s, measuring 58 metres overall length, incorporates greater operating efficiency compared to similar sized vessels, increased cargo capacities resulting from locating propulsion generators above main deck, as well as reduced construction cost due to simplified construction methods.

Destined to serve deepwater offshore operations, the newbuilding is capable of carrying 144 m3 of bulk material and 652 m3 of liquid mud in self-cleaning oval tanks. As a result of the vessel?s diesel-electric propulsion configuration, fuel efficiency is increased, thus resulting in cost savings, lower emissions and higher reliability. The vessels are equipped with one 435 kW main and two 1,235 kW diesel generators, one 843 kW fixed and two 843 kW azimuthing L-Drives, two 560 kW bow tunnel thrusters, as well as one 113 kW emergency generator.

The GPA 654 PSV is currently the smallest of the GPA PSV series, which ranges in size from 58 metres to 92 metres in overall length. With 24 of GPA?s PSV designs currently serving the offshore industry and an additional 102 vessels entering service within the next two years, GPA has established its position as one of the worldwide leader in naval architectural design of next generation PSVs.