Oil Patch Bits: Crowley launches newest barge in Portland

Crowley said March 31 that its newest heavy-lift series deck barge, the 455-4, was christened and launched at the Gunderson Marine Shipyard in Portland, Ore. The 400-foot-long, 105-foot-wide, barge was christened by Carey Graham, wife of Parker Drilling Vice President Dennis Graham.

Crowley has plans to build up to 13 of these high-capacity barges by 2013. The largest, already in operation in the U.S. Gulf, measures 400 feet by 130 feet. Crowley’s heavy-lift 455 series deck barges with 25-foot side shells provide both the capacity and deck strength needed to accommodate larger drilling and production units used for deepwater offshore energy exploration and development. For more information visit www.crowley.com.