Bollinger completes Epic DSV conversions

Conversion work on a trio of dive support vessels has been completed by Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, Louisiana for US operator Epic Divers & Marine, providing further evidence of growing demand for this class of ship

Epic Divers & Marine is a leading commercial diving and support services company operating in the Gulf of Mexico. It was founded in 1972 by L J ‘Pie’ Rivet as Epic Divers, and has expanded significantly since, following acquisition in 1991 by Julie Rodriguez.

In 1998, needing to meet the demands of a fast-changing industry, Julie Rodriguez expanded the company by forming Epic Companies, which consists of Epic Divers and Epic Marine, now combined to form Epic Divers & Marine. This includes a full service commercial diving company as well as a ship operator with offshore and coastal diving support capabilities, along with production and construction support.

Acting as prime contractor for the project, Bollinger performed a wide-ranging conversion on the three ships, together with a number of modifications for the Harvey, Louisiana-based owner.

“Bollinger took on these projects under severe industry conditions and at the end of the day delivered three quality ships”, said Julie Rodriguez.

The first of the three conversions was completed on the 220ft x 45ft x 21ft (67m x 13.7 x 64.m) dynamically positioned (DP) Class II dive and ROV support vessel Epic Diver at Bollinger’s Algiers facility. This is one of the most recent additions to the fleet and will act as the company’s primary DP and ROV support ship.

While at Bollinger, the ship’s regulatory status and documentation was renewed, and it also received DP system upgrades with the installation of a L3 Communications (Nautronix) NMS 6000 Duplex DP system, while taking on the new colours and name Epic Diver. This vessel is now ABS certified, DPII, and meets Solas regulations.

The second and third hull upgrades were both undertaken by Bollinger’s Larose facility. Epic Explorer was re-delivered after going through full conversion from offshore supply to a four-point, 1,000ft (304m) support design with a new saturation dive system. The accommodation has also been upgraded for 48 persons.

Whilst at the yard, the hull was also fitted with an EBI 30 ton telescopic deck crane, a 10ft (3m) diameter moonpool and updated electrical components. The ship’s regulatory compliance was renewed, meeting all US Coast Guard inspection criteria for subchapter I certification. The vessel measures 210ft x 40ft x 14ft (64 x 12.1 x 4.2m), with more than 1,600ft2 (148m2) of clear deck space.

The third vessel to be upgraded and modernised by Bollinger, Epic Seahorse, completed a life extension programme renewing all regulatory requirements and being reconfigured for optimum use of the aft deck area by having its dive support equipment repositioned below deck.

This latter vessel has similar dimensions to Epic Explorer and is capable of providing a full range of subsea project support services as a four-point design.

Executive vice president of Bollinger Shipyards, Ben Bordelon, said of these projects: “The co-ordination between the EPIC and Bollinger project teams, along with our craftsmen at each of our two yards, proved to be a leading factor in the success of these three programmes. EPIC’s confidence in teaming with us was a significant boost and motivator for the two managers and their teams.”OSJ