6 Pr/News archives

BISSO MARINE CHRISTENS NEW LAYBARGE
Following the blessing of the L/B MIGHTY CHIEF and her crew by Cannon Stephen Roberts of Christ Church Cathedral of New Orleans; Darlene Bisso, Secretary/Treasurer of BISSO MARINE, christened the company’s new pipe laybarge with a bottle of Champaign at the BISSO MARINE marine logistics base in New Orleans.

The L/B MIGHTY CHIEF is an ABS+A1/USCG 196’ x 76’ laybarge. The barge has comfortable accommodations for 61 persons as well as satellite television, voice and data communications. The L/B MIGHTY CHIEF is equipped with (7) RB97 Skagit drums, each drum containing 5,000' x 1.25" wire rope and (7) 3.5 ton Delta Flipper anchors to providing a very capable station keeping system.

L/B MIGHTY CHIEF is currently configured to lay from a 2” up to a 24" single pipeline or up to triple 8" pipeline. The barge has two welding stalls, one x-ray stall and one field joint stall. The L/B MIGHTY CHIEF is equipped with a 40 kip tensioner, electric welding machines and will smoothly transition pipelines from the firing line to the seafloor with an adjustable 50' stinger.

For burial, L/B MIGHTY CHIEF utilizes (2) 1600 CFM compressors, (2) 10x14x17 Bingham jet pumps producing 3500 GPM @ 600 PSI and a stern hose reel with 600' of bundled air and jet hose feeding the custom adjustable jet sled capable of providing up to 10 feet of burial. All barge operations are supported by a 90 ton MANITOWOC 3900W VICON with 100 feet of boom which can travel the length of the barge.

The Air/Gas diving spread on the L/B MIGHTY CHIEF is comprised of a gas rack, electric 5120 diver air compressors, double lock 54” decompression chambers, hand jetting, airlifting, liftbags up to 10,000 lbs and an array of hydraulic powered diver hand tools. The BISSO MARINE DIVING division can provide additional diving equipment to support all surface air / mixed gas diving requirements....... BACK TO TOP >>>

BISSO MARINE PURCHASES 300’ x 100’ FLAT DECK BARGE
BISSO MARINE is pleased to announce the purchase of the BISSO 301. The BISSO 301 is a 300’ x 100’ x 18’ ABS classed ocean service deck barge. The barge was originally built in 2001 by Corn Island Shipyard and has a uniform deck load of 3,500 pounds per square foot and a maximum cargo capacity of 9,800 tons. The barge is divided into 32 compartments with three watertight longitudinal bulkheads and seven watertight transverse bulkheads. The deck of the BISSO 301 is unobstructed with recessed deck fittings. The BISSO 301 will be available for worldwide service....... BACK TO TOP >>>

BISSO MARINE SALVAGES LIFTBOAT
BISSO MARINE CO., INC. recently completed the salvage of a liftboat in the MAIN PASS area. The 450 ton liftboat which was a victim of Hurricane Katrina was raised by the 600 ton capacity D/B LILI BISSO which was supported by the D/B BOAZ during the salvage operation. The liftboat was found to be completely pressed full of mud with its stern 20 feet below the natural bottom. The salvage team spent several days removing the mud from the hull to decrease the weight and facilitate a safe lift. The liftboat was loaded on to a materials barge and transported to a scrap facility for disposal. This was the third vessel salvage by the D/B LILI BISSO in as many weeks.
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BISSO MARINE PURCHASES LAYBARGE
BISSO MARINE CO., INC. recently finalized a deal with GE Capital to purchase the former L/B MIDNIGHT EAGLE, which will be renamed the “L/B MIGHTY CHIEF” when it is christened.

The addition of the 190’ x 76’ L/B MIGHTY CHIEF to the BISSO MARINE fleet will expand the company’s fleet of oilfield service related barges routinely working in the Gulf of Mexico to five; three derrick barges, one derrick/laybarge combination and the new dedicated laybarge.

BISSO MARINE is currently retrofitting the L/B MIGHTY CHIEF at BOLLINGER SHIPYARD. The vessel is being reinstated by ABS and the US Coast Guard to facilitate unrestricted operations in the Gulf of Mexico.

Additional modifications to the L/B MIGHTY CHIEF will include the removal of the DP system and the installation of traditional (7) point mooring system. BISSO MARINE has selected to use SKAGIT RB-97 anchor winches; the barge will be configured with 5,000 feet of 1 ¼” wire per drum.

The L/B MIGHTY CHIEF will conduct conventional S-lay operations and is set up with (2) welding stalls, an X-Ray stall and a field joint station, an A/R winch, a 30 Kips pipe tensioner as well as a stern ramp with a 50’ stinger. While conducting burial operations the L/B MIGHTY CHIEF will utilize (2) 1600 CFM @ 125 PSI air compressors and (2) 10x14x17 Bingham Jet Pumps, each producing 3,500 GPM @ 600 PSI to support the fully adjustable jet sled. The onboard diving equipment will include up to (3) new 54” decompression chambers and (3) new 5120 divers air compressors.

The deck crane for the L/B MIGHTY CHIEF will have a 90 ton capacity. The L/B MIGHTY CHIEF will join the other BISSO MARINE pipelay vessel, the DLB BIG CHIEF, in the Gulf of Mexico by August 2006....... BACK TO TOP >>>

T&T BISSO RESPOND TO BP THUNDERHORSE
T&T BISSO, LLC. has been mobilized to the disabled BP THUNDERHORSE semi-submersible in Mississippi Canyon area Block 776, to begin the salvage of the vessel. When T&T BISSO was on location within four hours after the first call for assistance. Currently the dewatering operation is in progress. T&T BISSO is a joint venture between T&T MARINE SALVAGE of Galveston, TX, and BISSO MARINE CO. of New Orleans, LA, the JV was formed to offer the maritime and oilfield industries a full service salvage and firefighting option located locally in the Gulf of Mexico, T&T BISSO together possess 165 years of experience in the industry. T&T BISSO also offers OPA 90 coverage worldwide. 
http://www.tandtbisso.com/thunder_horse.htm
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BISSO MARINE COMPLETES SIX STRUCTURE PACKAGE
BISSO MARINE recently used the D/B LILI BISSO to remove a 472 ton deck in the HIGH ISLAND SOUTH ADDITION area. The removal of the 472 ton deck and 600 ton jacket completed the last of a six structure package which had been awarded to BISSO MARINE. The D/B BOAZ removed the first five decks and jackets in the multi structure package which stretched from the GALVESTON area to the HIGH ISLAND SOUTH ADDITION. BISSO MARINE is contracted by another customer to commence on another six structure removal package in the Western GOM near the BRAZOS area. BACK TO TOP >>>

BISSO MARINE LAYS A PIPELINE
BISSO MARINE recently completed the successful lay of the company’s first pipeline project. The 220’ x 74’, DLB BIG CHIEF laid and buried approximately 1400’ of 10” pipe in the SOUTH TIMBALIER AREA. BISSO MARINE divers completed the tie-in portion form the DLB BIG CHIEF, the entire project was completed ahead of schedule. The second pipelay project for BISSO MARINE is a lay, bury and tie-in of approximately 22,000’ of 6”, this project is expected to begin following the completion of several structure removals on the current schedule for the DLB BIG CHIEF.
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BISSO MARINE CLEARS SABINE PASS
BISSO MARINE recently salvaged a 110’ crewboat in Sabine Pass, TX. The crewboat which was involved in collision with a ship rolled over and sank in approximately 50’ of water with the stern of the capsized vessel ultimately resting on the bottom and the bow keel floating above the surface. The sunken crewboat was positioned in the middle of the channel such that the Sabine Pass was closed by the USCG creating a problem for inbound and out bound ship traffic whose cargos are loaded and discharged at the refineries in the Port Arthur, TX, area. Due to the emergency nature of the casualty, BISSO MARINE was able to divert the D/B BOAZ from an oilfield services project in the High Island Area to respond. The D/B BOAZ and the salvage team were able to rig the crewboat and remove it from the channel to allow the ship traffic to resume. With the crewboat out of the channel, the salvage team was able to salvage the vessel and return it to the owners in a floating condition in spite of considerable damage to the portside below the waterline. The entire operation was conducted without incident with a particular attention to the safety of the salvage team and the environment. BACK TO TOP >>>

BISSO MARINE RE-INTRODUCES C/B BIG EAGLE
BISSO MARINE is happy to re-introduce the crane barge BIG EAGLE. The C/B BIG EAGLE is configured with a Manitowoc 3900 on a 155’ x 50’ x 12’ double raked barge. The barge offers a four point mooring system with 1200’ x 1¼” anchor wire and 3 ton anchors as well as having two 30” spuds with several options for spud length. The deck of the barge is matted to enable the crane to crawl the barge as required. The Manitowoc 3900 has 110’ of boom, but the boom length is variable. The C/B BIG EAGLE has been utilized as emergency response salvage, diving, lightering platform heavy lift and general work platform.
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BISSO MARINE SALVAGES DREDGE TENDER
BISSO MARINE recently completed the salvage of a 350 ton dredge tender in Perdido Pass, Alabama. BISSO MARINE was contracted to salvage the vessel following a previously unsuccessful attempt to patch and pump. After the award of the salvage contract, the BISSO MARINE salvage team, D/B LILI BISSO and C/B BIG EAGLE were immediately mobilized from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Perdido Pass. Once on location the C/B BIG EAGLE was spudded next to the dredge tender to complete a detailed diver survey and place the salvage rigging under the vessel; the main lifting block of the D/B LILI BISSO was then positioned over the vessel and the rigging was attached by salvage divers assisted by the C/B BIG EAGLE. The dredge tender was then lifted from the bottom and dewatered. The salvage crew delivered the floating vessel to its owner with a welded steel patch in place over the damaged area. Due to the congested nature of Perdido Pass which has a very high concentration of personal water craft, small boat and yacht traffic; BISSO MARINE maintained an extra vigilant attention to the safety of sightseers within close proximity to the salvage area. The salvage operation was safely and successfully completed in 48 working hours. BACK TO TOP >>>

BISSO MARINE SALVAGES LIFTBOAT
BISSO MARINE recently salvaged a 105 class lift boat in the Gulf of Mexico. The DLB BIG CHIEF, D/B LILI BISSO and crew arrived at the salvage location to discover the liftboat lying on its portside and resting back on its starboard leg. The angle of the liftboat complicated the safe removal of the legs by the divers, therefore the 600 ton capacity D/B LILI BISSO was used to stabilize and support the liftboat to enable salvage divers the opportunity safely cut the lower leg sections from the hull. The D/B LILI BISSO then lifted the liftboat to the surface and transported it on the hook to Leeville, LA. The DLB BIG CHIEF remained on location to recover the lower leg sections and other debris then towed to meet the D/B LILI BISSO in Leeville, LA. The liftboat was delivered to the owners in a floating condition. From mobilization to delivery, the salvage operation was completed in seven days. BACK TO TOP >>>

BISSO MARINE SALVAGES A 105 CLASS LIFTBOAT
BISSO MARINE CO., INC. recently completed the successful salvage of a 105 Class Liftboat from 258 feet of water from the Main Pass Area. The liftboat, which was believed to have sunk in much shallower water in the mid 1980’s, was discovered to be on top of a 20” pipeline after Hurricane Ivan.

BISSO MARINE CO., INC. took extreme care to remove the liftboat from the pipeline to mitigate any damage to the same. As a precautionary measure the liftboat was lifted several feet above the pipeline then moved several hundred feet northward before being lifted to the surface.

Due to the depth of the water and because the liftboat needed to be lifted out of the water on location in order to be placed onto a materials barge for transport; BISSO MARINE CO., INC. specially configured the 600 ton capacity D/B LILI BISSO with an A&R winch and two specially designed single sheave blocks.

The liftboat was lifted from the -258’ seafloor to a +15’ materials barge in a single lifting operation. The specially designed lifting configuration exceeded a 5:1 safety factor. BACK TO TOP >>>

BISSO MARINE REACHES HIGHER AND FARTHER

In 2003, BISSO MARINE CO., INC. began a major upgrade to the derrick barge LILI BISSO by adding a 300 ton capacity jib to the main A-frame. The jib is 40 feet in length, which will extend the overall boom length to 205 feet. The jib will be initially set with a 20 degree offset relative to the main boom, but will be capable of adjustment between 0 degrees and 20 degrees. The jib design allows for installation or removal in about one day allowing for maximum variability, capability and capacity of the derrick barge.

The attachments point on the tip of the A-frame and the jib stay wire were designed so that additional jibs of varying length and capacity can be fabricated in the future and attached with ease. This flexibility will allow BISSO MARINE the ability to custom fabricate jibs for the special projects of its customers in a matter of weeks not months.

Currently the D/B LILI BISSO has a maximum capacity 600 tons with 141 feet of drift. The addition of the jib will allow the D/B LILI BISSO to reach upward to lift 300 tons with 183 feet of drift and reach outward 120 feet and lift 300 tons with 121 feet of drift. The jib hoist in conjunction with the main hoist will allow the D/B LILI BISSO to have independent main and jib block control. The maximum combined lift using the main and jib hoists simultaneously will be 540 tons out 77 feet to the center.

Due to the nature of the projects that the D/B LILI BISSO is engaged, BISSO MARINE will have a multitude of options that were previously unavailable. By having multiple blocks a complicated rigging scheme will no longer be required to lift a load with an unusual center of gravity. Furthermore the additional block allows the D/B LILI BISSO to stand alone when, for example, salvaging a vessel on the seafloor lying on its side or to layover or upright jackets when used in the oilfield construction application. Water depth no longer poses a problem due to the ability of the D/B LILI BISSO to “hand off” from one block to another when the weight of a submerged object allows.

BISSO MARINE CO. contracted BRYMAR, LLC. of Mandeville, LA, to engineer the in-house design and awarded HOUMA INDUSTRIES of Harvey, LA, the contract to fabricate. BAY MOSBY of Belle Chase, LA, installed the jib section. HOUMA INDUSTRIES had previously fabricated the BISSO MARINE designed main A-frame of the D/B LILI BISSO. F&M MAFCO of Cincinnati, OH, provided the jib hoist. BISSO MARINE will retest and certify the jib at the VERSABAR facility in Belle Chase, LA. The D/B LILI BISSO was also configured with a three point mooring system. Additional future upgrades to the D/B LILI BISSO will include various personnel safety components, modern electronic load cells and a hydraulic deck crane. The D/B LILI BISSO will continue to be a main part of the BISSO MARINE offshore fleet of derrick barges for many years to come.

Currently BISSO MARINE is evaluating the possibilities of modifying the 700 ton A-frame derrick barge CAPPY BISSO, to receive a jib as well.
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The jib on the D/B LILI BISSO during the inaugural 300 ton lift while on location in the Vermillion Area of the Gulf Of Mexico, lifting a Seaharvester jacket from 109’ of water and placing it on to a materials barge.

BISSO MARINE REMOVES A STRANDED 152 CLASS CREWBOAT
Bisso Marine recently removed a stranded 152 Class crewboat from the Belle Pass Jetty near Port Fourchon, LA.  Salvage crews were able to respond immediately after being awarded the salvage contract.  The vessel was stranded on the rocks in 4 feet of water.  Due to the shallow water, the salvage vessels were limited in their abilities to get within 100’ of the vessel.  The 220’ boom on the D/B BOAZ allowed salvage crews to reach the stranded vessel and perform the necessary work.  The vessel was refloated and returned to the owners in 23 hours. BACK TO TOP >>>

BISSO MARINE LOADS DECK SECTIONS AT HOUMA INDUSTRIES
Bisso Marine Company, Inc. heavy lift crews using the 700 ton D/B CAPPY BISSO AND THE 600 ton D/B LILI BISSO, recently loaded out five deck sections at Houma Industries in Harvey Louisiana. The largest section weighed 725 tons. Rigging for the project was provided by Versabar of Belle Chasse, La.
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BISSO MARINE installs jacket and deck using D/B BOAZ in High Island Area
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BISSO MARINE LIFTS PATROL BOAT AT BOLLINGER SHIPYARD
Bisso Marine Company, Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana, recently lifted the 350 ton, Patrol Ship, PC1and placed her onto the bank for modifications. The PC1 is the first of fourteen Patrol Ships originally built at Bollinger Shipyards in l982 for the US Navy. The vessel has returned to her builder for modifications to her stern and for a life extension program. The new owner, the Philippine Navy will utilize the vessel to fight the war on terrorism. The 179 ft x 26 ft vessel is powered by four Paxman Diesel engines delivering l3,400 hp. The revitalized vessel is scheduled to be delivered the to Philippine Navy in January 2004.
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BISSO MARINE SALVAGES THE OSV LEE III
In the cool, dark and foggy predawn hours of, 21 February 2004, two vessels, the 176’ offshore supply vessel, LEE III and the, 573’ container ship, ZIM MEXICO III collided in the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River just below Venice, Louisiana. . The accident brought the traffic on the busy Mississippi to an immediate halt.

Within a few short hours after the collision, BISSO MARINE was contacted. Immediately, the BISSO MARINE salvage, logistical and contractual teams constructed a salvage plan, coordinated logistics and worked out the contractual details of the operation.

BISSO MARINE crews mobilized to location where they used the 700 ton and 600 ton A-frames D/B CAPPY BISSO and D/B LILI BISSO as well as the 250 ton offshore derrick  D/B BOAZ to salvage the vessel.

In 6 1⁄2 days, despite heavy fog, 48 degree water and 5 knot currents, BISSO MARINE was able to mobilize to the site recover three crewmen and wrestle the LEE III out of the tumultuous grip of the Mississippi River, and return one of the world’s busiest waterways and the United States’ main arteries for trade back to normal.
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BISSO MARINE LIFTS CYCLONE
BISSO MARINE COMPANY, INC., utilizing the Derrick Barge, CAPPY BISSO, lifted a 350 ton United Stated Navy Patrol vessel from stream to shore for refurbishment and up grade at BOLLINGER SHIPYARD in Lockport, Louisiana.
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HEAVY LIFT WORK FOR BISSO MARINE COMPANY, INC.
Bisso Marine Company, Inc., heavy lift crews loaded out a 600 generator/compressor gas scrubber module from barge to shore for Grand Isle Shipyard at their facility in Grand Isle, Louisiana. Bisso’s 700 ton derrick barge CAPPY BISSO was used for the lift.
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BISSO SALVAGES R & B FALCON RIG 55
When BISSO MARINE CO., INC. salvage crews arrived at the overturned R & B Falcon Rig 55 the vessel was at a seventy-two degree angle on her starboard side with the hull settled into the natural bottom twenty-two feet. The upper level drill floor had penetrated below the mud line eight feet.

After a complete survey of the situation, the salvage plan called for divers to hand jet four foot wide tunnels beneath the vessel. One hundred foot steel straps were pulled under the vessel and utilized to upright the rig. Several compartments along the port side were used as leverage and repairs were made at the deck gunwale along the inside of the Key Way where the well head had breached the hull. (see photo)

Bisso’s 600 TON derrick barge LILI BISSO and 350 TON derrick barge CAIRO, and revolving crane BIG CHIEF, were secured to the lifting straps and the vessel brought to a forty-five degree angle. Pumps were applied to the rig to remove and additional 300 tons of water and bring the vessel to an upright position. The 700 TON derrick barge CAPPY BISSO was attached to the starboard side to assist with potential overturning concerns. Salvage personnel brought the bow of the rig up to five feet of freeboard and the derricks held the stern at four feet. Seas had increased to four to six feet so additional tugs were brought to location to assist in towing the vessel to Bollinger Ship Repair in the Industrial Canal.
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BISSO MARINE CO., INC. SALVAGES R & B FALCON RIG 63
BISSO MARINE CO., INC. salvage crews arrived at Main Pass Block 47 to find
the Posted Drill Barge R & B Falcon #63 overturned and settled at a 60 degree angle however, adverse sea conditions caused the hull to continue to overturn realizing a final 85-degree angle. Salvage and diving personnel first had to remove the derrick, BOP and other drilling support equipment prior to the start of tunneling operations.

Divers tunneled beneath the hull in four locations allowing for the installation of four lifting straps to be placed under the hull and welded into place. Hydraulic submersible pumps, air lines and exhaust flappers were placed in the vessel to create the displacement needed to assist in bringing the rig to the surface once the derricks broke the rig’s upper superstructure free.

The Derrick Barge LILI BISSO was rigged to the bow lifting straps and the Derrick Barge CAPPY BISSO was rigged to the two stern straps. Spreader bars were utilized to spread the load evenly across the straps. The Derrick Barge CAIRO was also brought on scene to further spread the lift needed to break the suction. As the rig up righting operations continued compartments were sealed and low-pressure air was forced into compartments to assure a vacuum not be pulled resulting in the collapse of bulkheads. Salvage personnel continued to pump out the hull compartments and divers jetted additional mud from machinery spaces on various levels.

The salvaged rig was towed in slings by the derricks to the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways and positioned along the North bank. Bisso’s Derrick Barge BIG CHIEF was spudded down to provide a secure anchor so the eighteen inch long breach in the hull of the vessel could be repaired. Additional repairs continued and the loads on the derricks gradually reduced and counter ballast pumped into the starboard compartments in order to render the rig level. The R & B #63 was turned over to her owners for further repairs.
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BISSO MARINE LOADS M/V TRITON VII
Bisso Marine Company, Inc., heavy lift division recently loaded on to the M/V Triton VII
a 300 ft X 60 ft. X 12 ft water injection module. Bisso’s heavy lift derrick barge, LILI BISSO performed the lift. The M/V Triton Vll is owned by Heerema Marine Contractors. The module was constructed by Premier Industries of Harvey Louisiana. The module is bound for the Zafiro Producer, FPSO, in Equatorial Guinea, West Africa. The 350 ton module will be used to inject water under extremely high pressure to numerous wells simultaneously to enhance oil recovery. The power source for the unit is a 7000 BHP Solar Turbine with a 3500 GPM X 2300 PSI pump.
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