In December, New Generation Shipbuilding, Houma, La., delivered the Mr. Ernie, a DP-1, 171'×36'×12' mini-supply vessel, to its parent company, New Generation Marine Services.
New Generation has only been in business for about two years, and the Mr. Ernie is the second OSV designed and built by the company. (A 150' mini-supplier, the Mr. Ed, was delivered in September 2013.)
“Our goal was to design, build, own and repair, keeping all the business units under one roof,” said Joe Gregory, New Generation’s owner. “To be competitive, we felt we had to keep these units together.”
The new OSV’s capacities are impressive and include 54,824 gals. of fuel; 103,035 gals. water (13,460 gals. potable water and 92,328 gals. ballast water that can also be used for potable water needs); 1,700 bbls. liquid mud; 840 gals. lube oil; and 440 gals. hydraulic oil. The rear deck measures 112'×30' and can haul up to 375 LT of freight.
The new 707-dwt mini-supply boat has a rather unusual hull shape, particularly at the bow and along the sides. “On the 01 level, we expanded the living quarters to the outside pod shell to increase the accommodations,” said Gregory. Mr. Ernie has accommodations for 28 offshore workers and four crew in 32 berths. There is also an executive room with desk and private head.
“The flair gives the captain a better line of sight, too,” said Gregory.
Twin Cummins K38M Tier 2 diesels, producing 2,000 hp at 1,800 rpm each, provide the boat’s main propulsion. The diesels connect to 72"×65" Bird-Johnson workwheel propellers through a pair of Twin Disc MGX-5321 marine gears. The propulsion package gives the Mr. Ernie a running speed of 13 knots.
The added maneuverability needed around offshore structures is provided by a Brunvoll FU37, CCP 440-hp bowthruster powered by a Cummins QSM-11 diesel engine. The bowthruster engine also powers a Crane Demming 5063 fire monitor, pumping 2,200 gpm at 260'.
“What we did was to concentrate on a better hull performance than similar-sized vessels,” said Gregory. “Our design with 80 percent load can run at 13 knots, whereas like-sized OSVs usually run at about 11 knots, so our customers can go farther on the same amount of fuel, which saves them money.”
Ship’s service power comes from two Cummins QSM-11 300-kW gensets.
The electronics package features a Beier Radio DP-1 system with twin 15" LCD, touch-screen monitors; two Icom VHF radios; and a JRC NCR333A Navtex. Furuno provided the bulk of the electronics technology including an SSB radio with encoder, LH3000 loud hailer, FCV 620 depth finder, FA150 AIS system, and two radars — an FR8122 and FR8062.
The new supply boat is ABS classed, Load Line only, and USCG certified.
