Known as an innovator in the design and construction of crewboats and fast suppliers, including high-speed catamarans, Seacor Marine, Houma, La., took delivery of the first of 10 new monohull fast crew/support vessels back in February.
All 10 are designed by Incat Crowther, the Australian design firm with U.S. offices in Lafayette, La. The Alex F McCall was built at Gulf Craft, Franklin, La., and is the first of four boats in the 202-class. Two are being built at Gulf Craft and two at C&G Boatworks, Mobile, Ala. All four boats measure 202'×34'×13' and are powered by four Cummins QSK60 Tier 3 engines rated at 2,700 hp at 1,900 rpm for 10,800 hp total.
Each engine turns a Twin Disc MGX-61500 SC marine transmission that drives a Hamilton HT810 waterjet to give the boat a 32-knot maximum speed. At a cruising speed of 26 knots (1,800 rpm), the mains burn 366 gph. At the economy speed of 22 knots, (1,500 rpm) fuel consumption drops to 264 gph.
Ship’s service power is provided by three 290-kW main generators powered by Cummins QSM11s. In addition to pumping and general needs, the gensets also power three electric 200-hp Thrustmaster tunnel bowthrusters for the DP-2 crew-supply boat.
The 136'×27' cargo deck is estimated to have a 400-LT capacity.
Below-deck capacities include 92,418 gals. of fuel, 10,848 gals. drill/fresh water and 3,200 gals. potable water. Discharge rates are 300 gpm at 380' for drill water and 354 gpm at 394' for fuel oil.
Total vessel deadweight is 472 LT.
Crew accommodations include 11 berths in six cabins. Seating is provided for 64 passengers.
In addition to the 202 class, Seacor is also getting a second and third set of new monohull fast-suppliers. The second set has been designated the Express class and will measure 210'×33' and be powered by five Cummins QSK60s (13,500 hp total) with five Hamilton HT810 waterjets. The center jet in this configuration will not be steerable or reversible. Design speed is 37-plus knots, light. The third set is the 206'×33' Express Plus class, which will also have five propulsion engines and waterjets.
“This class will be just as fast as the Express class but will have capability to transport 100 passengers,” said Seacor’s Joe McCall. “One hundred passengers is more than a typical crewboat can carry.” McCall added that the new boats would top more than 20 knots loaded. “But we are marketing them for their light-boat speeds.”
The Express-class boats are being built at C&G and the Express Plus-class boats are under construction at Gulf Craft.— Bruce Buls
