USA: Bollinger Hands Over Modified Barge and Tug Bouchard

Bollinger Hands Over Modified Barge and Tug Bouchard

Bollinger Amelia Repair, L.L.C., and Bollinger Algiers, L.L.C., two Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. facilities have re-delivered the tank barge B. No. 230 and tug Ralph E. Bouchard to Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc., Melville, N.Y.

The announcement of the barge and tug conversion completion was made by Bollinger Executive Vice President, Ben Bordelon, “We are pleased to announce the re-delivery of the ATB unit to Bouchard following a successful conversion, and regulatory updates at our two repair facilities. Bouchard’s confidence in our ability to deliver quality workmanship from multiple facilities allowed us to complete the two projects simultaneously. We are fortunate to continue our long relationship with Bouchard and also be a part of their continued commitment to have first class assets.

The B. No. 230, a 138,000 barrel (BBL) black oil barge equipped with inert gas, vapor recovery and closed gauging measuring 467-feet x 80-feet x 36-feet, was docked at Bollinger’s Amelia facility for the addition of the Intercon coupler system and for regulatory work. The installation of the coupler will give the barge and tug the ability to be an articulated unit allowing for improved maneuverability and sea-keeping.

The tug RALPH E. BOUCHARD underwent conversions at Bollinger‘s Algiers facility, receiving additional coolers and a keel cooled John Deere 99 KW Tier 2 generator set as back up to the main generators and for powering the Intercon hydraulic system. The vessel completed renewal of all regulatory requirements, installation of the Intercon system and received life extensions.

Morton S. Bouchard, III, President/CEO of Bouchard Affiliates (Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc. / Bouchard Coastwise Management / Bouchard Ocean Services) said, “We are extremely pleased with another successful project with Bollinger and are looking forward to the conversion of the M/V Barbara Bouchard & B. No. 240 to Intercon at Bollinger in the upcoming months. Bouchard values our long standing relationship with Bollinger and foresees future projects, and the delivery of the newly built B. No. 250 (55,000 BBL Intercon clean oil barge) this coming July, 2012.”

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. is a leading repair and conversion company in the US Gulf of Mexico with a total of 11 facilities and 28 dry-docks strategically located between New Orleans and Houston with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River and Intracoastal Waterway. Its new construction group is a leading designer and builder of ocean-going double hull barges, offshore oil field support vessels, tug boats, rigs, liftboats, inland waterways push boats and barges, fast military patrol boats and other steel and aluminum products from its new construction shipyards.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, March 28, 2012; Image: bollingershipyards