Subsea and offshore energy services provider Aqueos Corp., Broussard, La., on Tuesday announced it has acquired the dive support vessel Kelly Ann Candies from Otto Candies LLC, Des Allemands, La. The purchase price was not disclosed.
Constructed by Candies Shipbuilders, Houma, La., in 2012, the 277'x59' vessel is equipped to support pipeline installation, decommissioning, inspection, maintenance, and other underwater construction activities. Aqueos has chartered the vessel since 2019.
“After six years of operating this highly specialized and exceptionally efficient vessel under charter, we fully recognize the Kelly Ann’s critical role in delivering our offshore construction services,” Eric Legendre, Aqueos president, said in a statement. “Bringing this unique asset permanently into our fleet positions Aqueos to expand our capabilities and continue providing customers with industry-leading service for decades to come.”
The Kelly Ann supports surface air diving to 150', saturation diving to 1,000', and remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) operations to 3,000 meters (9,843'), with accommodations for up to 74 people. Its systems include a DNV-classed, IMCA-compliant, 14-person Dräger saturation diving system with a three-person bell and self-propelled hyperbaric lifeboat, along with an ABS-classed twin launch-and-recovery system for the surface diving system and integrated 150-hp work-class ROV.
The 5,289-gt vessel features quad 1,700-kW Caterpillar 3512 diesel engines, Schottel tunnel thrusters and stern thrusters, and a Kongsberg K-Pos DP2 dynamic positioning system. It cruises at 8 to 10 knots with a maximum speed of 12 knots. Fuel capacity is 209,600 gals.
The vessel's electronics package includes Furuno 1815 GMDSS, Furuno FAR2137s/12 S-band and FAR2117/6.5 X-band radar, Furuno FES700 echosounder, Furuno DS-50 Doppler speed log. A satellite communication system enables voice and video conferencing throughout the vessel.
The vessel’s helideck is suitable for Sikorsky S-76 and smaller helicopters.
“Acquiring the Kelly Ann reinforces our dedication to equipping our teams and our customers with the safest, most reliable tools to execute complex projects the right way,” said Pat Michels, president and CEO of Michels Corp., Brownsville, Wis., which acquired Aqueos in 2022.
