On Oct. 24, Eastern Shipbuilding Group christened and launched the HOS Briarwood, the 10th HOSMAX launch in 20 months for Hornbeck Offshore Services. Later that day, Eastern delivered the HOS Black Watch to Hornbeck.

The launch was held at Eastern’s Allanton facility in Panama City, Fla. 

The HOS Black Watch was delivered 25 days early, on-budget and was Eastern’s eighth delivery under a 10-vessel contract. The Black Watch is the offshore service vessel in the HOSMAX 310-series for Hornbeck Offshore.

Each HOSMAX 310 is a diesel-electric powered, twin Z-drive propelled OSV. These high-tech vessels feature four Caterpillar 3516C 16-cylinder turbo-charged Tier 3 diesel generator engines each rated at 1,825 kW at 1,800 rpm. Main propulsion 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 also provided 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 Energy Power Conversions provides the complete system integrated diesel electric package, including the propulsion and thruster drives, motors, control systems, DP system, switchboards, motor control centers, automation and navigation /communication electronics. The fully integrated bridge is arranged for increased visibility and features the latest technology in navigation, communication equipment. 

All 10 of the HOSMAX OSVs 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.

The HOSMAX 310 OSVs feature the following characteristics:

Dimensions: 302'x64'x26'
Deadweight tonnage: 6,144 LT
Total fuel oil capacity: 285,649 USG
Fuel oil day-tanks 23,752 USG
Drill water/Ballast capacity: 609,227 USG
Potable water capacity: 62,538 USG
Liquid mud capacity: 21,509 bbl. (10) Tanks
Dry-bulk mud: 14,347 cu. ft. (7) Tanks
Methanol capacity 2,212 bbl. (2) Tanks
Clear deck area: 11,137 sq. ft.

The HOS Brass Ring and HOS Briarwood are the two remaining HOSMAX 310 platform supply vessels scheduled for delivery in January 2015 and March 2015.

Eastern is also in full production on two HOSMAX 310ES multipurpose supply vessels (MPSVs) for Hornbeck. Each MPSV will have accommodations for 73 persons, a 250-MT subsea crane, moon pool, helideck and two ROV/LARS units. Named the HOS Warland and the HOS Woodland, both vessels are on-schedule to be launched in 2015.

These two HOSMAX 310ES MPSVs will be ABS Classed Hull and Machinery, Oceans Service and reviewed for the United States Coast Guard under the Alternate Compliance Program (ACP 2-95) with the following Class Notations, A1, AMS, ACCU, DPS-2, UWILD, FFV-1, Circle E, Offshore Support Vessel (HNLS, HDC, HLC), GP, RRDA, HELIDK, ENVIRO, CRC, SPS (Special Purpose Ship), and certified under SOLAS/IMO.