Server: Microsoft-IIS/2.0 Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 18:58:31 GMT Content-Type: text/html Accept-Ranges: bytes Last-Modified: Tue, 02 Sep 1997 13:16:47 GMT Content-Length: 7297
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PRESS
RELEASE
A new Halter Marine Group-built supply boat undergoing sea trials had an unexpected occasion to test its 2600 GPM fire monitor in a real emergency. The RAM CHARGER, a 220 foot, 3320 HP platform supply boat built by Halter Marine, Inc., Lockport, La., for Aries Marine Corp., Lafayette, La., was enroute to a berth at Port Fourchon, La., near the Gulf of Mexico, when the crew saw smoke billowing from a dockside facility. Captain Jimmy Branton, Jim Roberts, Halter's sea trial coordinator and Bill Purvis, Aries Marine's marine superintendent knew instantly they had to assist because of the boat's fire fighting capability. They quickly turned the boat and the RAM CHARGER was the first vessel to reach the site, a warehouse surrounded by tanks containing drilling additives and other substances. Upon arrival, the smoke was so thick and visibility was so obscured, crew members on the aft deck had to relay directional instructions to the bridge. Using the boat's Z-drives, the captain deftly maneuvered the boat close to the burning and exploding barrels of drilling fluids, chemicals and diesel fuel and began hosing down the fire . Two workers on the dock were injured and two fire fighters passed out from heat exhaustion. The fire on June 3, caused the evacuation of about 300 workers from nearby supply docks because of the danger and concern about toxic fumes from some of the oil and gas drilling additives. The blaze which began at around 10:00 A. M. was contained by 12:25 P.M. by 50 firefighters using water and 1,200 gallons of foam. Local fire officials called for marine assistance when their vehicles and personnel were unable to get closer to the fire because of the intense heat and explosions. The RAM CHARGER had voluntarily responded and five other supply boats equipped with fire fighting gear also arrived to help extinguish the blaze. Two other Halter built supply boats, the WAR ADMIRAL and the SEA HERO, owned by Tidewater Marine also assisted in dousing the fire. Both of the 220 foot Tidewater vessels were built by Halter originally for Oil & Gas Rental Services, Inc., Morgan City, La., as the MR. VICK and the Y. A. ADAMS respectively. The Halter Marine Group, Inc., includes 17 shipyards in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Texas. The company specializes in the design, construction, conversion and repair of a wide variety of vessels for commercial, government, pleasure boat and mobile offshore drilling unit markets. Shipyards of the Halter Marine Group have built more than 2000 vessels in the past 40 years.
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