On Jan. 17, Eastern Shipbuilding Group launched the HOS Black Foot for Hornbeck Offshore Services. The HOS Black Foot is Eastern’s second vessel in Hornbeck Offshore’s HOSMAX 310 class series. The launching event was held at Eastern’s Allanton, Fla., facility.

The 302'x64'x26' HOS Black Foot, the second of six vessels designated as the HOSMAX 310 series by Covington, La.-based Hornbeck, is a diesel-electric powered, twin Z-drive OSV. The high-tech vessels feature four Caterpillar 3516C 16-cylinder turbocharged Tier 3 diesel generator engines each rated at 1,825 kW at 1,800 rpm. Main propulsion power is provided by two GE Energy-furnished Hyundai 2,500 kW 690VAC electric motors driving two Schottel SRP 2020 FP Z-drives with nozzles rated at 2,500 kW at 1,025 rpm each for a total of 6,704 hp. Schottel is also providing two STT 4 fixed pitch tunnel thrusters rated at 1,180 kW at 1,170 rpm, each with direct coupled Hyundai 690VAC electric motors. GE Power Conversion is providing the complete system integrated diesel electric package. This includes the propulsion and thruster drives, motors, control systems, DP system, switchboards, motor control centers, automation and navigation/communication electronics. These vessels are capable of a maximum speed of 14 knots with a cruising speed of 12 knots. The fully integrated bridge is arranged for increased visibility and features the latest technology in navigation, communication equipment. 

The HOSMAX 310 OSVs feature the following: 

Deadweight Tonnage: 6,144 LT 
Total Fuel Oil Capacity: 285,649 gals.
Fuel Oil day tanks: 23,752 gals.
Drill Water/Ballast Capacity: 609,227 gals. 
Potable Water Capacity: 62,538 gals.
Liquid Mud Capacity: 21,509 bbl. 
Dry-bulk Mud: 14,347 cu. ft. 
Methanol Capacity: 2,212 bbl. 
Clear Deck Area: 11,137 sq. ft. 

Eastern’s HOSMAX launch and delivery sequence includes the 2013 delivery of the HOS Red Dawnthe HOS Red Rock and the HOS Renaissance. The final sister vessel in the HOSMAX 300 class, the HOS Riverbendis currently at Eastern completing final regulatory and DP-2 trials and will be delivered soon. 

All 10 of the HOSMAX OSVs under contract are USCG, ABS Classed A1, Offshore Support Vessel and Ocean Service, Loadline, AMS, ACCU, Circle E, DPS-2 with additional ABS Class notations UWILD, ENVIRO, FFV-1 and certified under SOLAS/IMO. Additionally, HOS has contracted with Eastern for two HOSMAX 310ES Multi-Purpose Supply Vessels (MPSVs) with accommodations for 73 persons, a 250-MT subsea crane, moon pool, helideck and two ROV/LARS units.