A steel cutting ceremony for two new platform supply vessels yesterday took place at BAE Systems’ Heckscher Drive shipyard in Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville Business Journal has reported.
The vessels, that will serve offshore drilling operations, are being built for Jackson Offshore Operators. Also, Jackson Offshore Operators has an option to order two additional PSVs in the future.
The GPA 675J PSV design will be provided by Guido Perla & Associates, Inc. of Seattle, Washington. The vessels will include an integrated Rolls-Royce ship systems package inclusive of low-voltage active front end diesel electric system and a complete Rolls-Royce propulsion package with Azipull propulsion thrusters.
BAE Systems currently employs 630 people in Jacksonville and expects to hire an additional 250 workers there by mid-2013.
[mappress] Offshore Energy Today Staff, March 8, 2013