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BISSO MARINE PURCHASES DIVE SUPPORT VESSEL

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BISSO MARINE is pleased to announce the purchase of the OSV DINO CHOUEST from EDISON CHOUEST OFFSHORE. The vessel will be converted into a diving support vessel and renamed BISSO DIVER I.

The vessel is 196’ x 44’ x 14’ and is powered by (2) CAT 3516 main engines generating 4,070HP with a cruising speed of 14 knots. The vessel is also equipped with a White Gill DP system and (2) 10,000 GPM fire fighting monitors.

The BISSO MARINE conversion of the DSV BISSO DIVER I is expected to be completed by mid-June 2008. The dive support vessel will be equipped with a TECHCRANE 60 with a 56’ – 100’ retractable boom and a four point station keeping system from (2) two drum AMCON 385 winches. In addition, the BISSO DIVER I will be fitted with a permanent winch foundation that can accommodate a series of winches with up to 200,000 lbs of capacity to facilitate subsea lowering or rigging via the anchor handling stern roller.

Additional modifications will include accommodations for 48, including private accommodations, office and lounge for client representatives and VIPs. The naval architecture and marine engineering firm ALAN C. McCLURE, ASSOCIATES, Inc., of Houston, Texas, has been contracted to assist BISSO MARINE management in the planning and engineering of the conversion.

BISSO MARINE will use the DSV BISSO DIVER I support its offshore construction, pipeline and salvage projects.

BISSO MARINE INTRODUCES NEW ABS CLASSED ANCHOR HANDLING TUG

BISSO MARINE is pleased to introduce the ABS CLASSED anchor handling tug WILLIAM BISSO. The tug is named after W. A. Bisso, V, the 4 year-old son of W. A. “Beau” Bisso, IV, the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer.

The A-1 Maltese Cross anchor handling tug is 115’ x 32’ with an operational draft of 14’. The 52 bollard pull tug is powered by a pair of EMD 16-645 E2 main engines turning 108” propellers in kort nozzles through 4:1 Reintjes gears.

BISSO MARINE will use the WILLIAM BISSO support its offshore construction, pipeline and salvage projects.

BISSO MARINE LAUNCHES FOUR NEW VESSELS

BISSO MARINE recently mobilized the 700 ton capacity D/B CAPPY BISSO to Gulfport, Mississippi, to launch four newly built tractor-type tugs. In a single day, the four identical vessels, each weighing 650 tons, were rigged up, lifted and safely placed into the water.

BISSO MARINE TRANSFERS SCRUBBER

BISSO MARINE recently mobilized the 260 ton capacity derrick barge AJAX to Chalmette Slip in the Port of New Orleans, Louisiana.

The D/B AJAX and BISSO MARINE heavy lift crew performed the transfer of the 160 ton gas centrifugal scrubber. The scrubber was rigged and lifted from the deck of a heavy lift transportation ship and transferred to the deck of a materials barge.

BISSO MARINE SALVAGES BURIED CRANE

BISSO MARINE recently mobilized a salvage team, the salvage support barge C/B BIG EAGLE and the 700 ton capacity D/B CAPPY BISSO to salvage a barge mounted crawler crane which struck the north side of the HWY 182 Bridge and fell into the Atchafalaya River in Berwick, Louisiana.

The crane, which weighed approximately 110 tons, was knocked into the river upon contact with the bridge in 2005 and came to rest in 30 feet of water. In the two years since the collision, however, the crane further settled approximately 25 feet below the river bottom.

BISSO MARINE salvage divers used three airlifts, up to 14 inches in diameter, to excavate the crane. By accessing the hoist drums and the crane carbody, the salvage divers were able to connect salvage rigging to the crane. As airlifting operations continued to move large amounts of sand and mud, the D/B CAPPY BISSO applied 120 tons of lifting force to ease the crane out of the hole. After removing the crane from the hole, the D/B CAPPY BISSO lifted the crane through the water column and placed it on the deck of a barge for delivery.

After securing the crane to the barge, the Bisso Marine salvage divers returned to the river bottom to locate 180 feet of damaged crane boom which was also buried in the mud. Again using the airlifts, the salvage divers were able to expose the buried boom and remove it using the Manitowoc 4000 on board the salvage support barge C/B BIG EAGLE.

Due to the position of the crane in the middle of the navigable waterway, all marine traffic had to stop during the salvage operation to ensure diver safety. To mitigate the impact of the waterway closure, BISSO MARINE conducted 24 hour continuous operations. The entire excavation and salvage operation was completed in 10 working days, 4 days ahead of schedule.

BISSO MARINE SETS 1,100 TON SUPERSTRUCTURE

BISSO MARINE recently utilized the tandem heavy lift capabilities of the 700 ton capacity D/B CAPPY BISSO and the 600 ton capacity D/B LILI BISSO to set an 1,100 ton newly built superstructure on to the hull of a new offshore vessel.

The tandem derrick barges lifted the 1,100 ton superstructure from its fabrication area and transported the superstructure, while on the hook, several hundred feet to the awaiting vessel hull. The entire heavy lifting operation was successfully performed in approximately six hours.

BISSO MARINE RESPONDS TO DAMAGED RAILROAD BRIDGE

Following an emergency call, BISSO MARINE immediately mobilized the 600 ton capacity D/B LILI BISSO to Amelia, LA, to lift the Bayou Boeuf Railroad Bridge which had been struck by a tug and barge resulting in significant damage to the bridge span. Upon arrival at the site, the D/B LILI BISSO lifted the damaged 200 ton bridge span and placed it on to a deck barge. The bridge span was then transferred to a local repair facility where the D/B LILI BISSO would again lift the bridge span and place it into the repair yard. Upon completion of the repairs, the D/B LILI BISSO again lifted the repaired span and placed it back on to the deck barge. The deck barge and D/B LILI BISSO were then transferred back to the rail line where the span was put back on to its supports allowing the rail traffic to resume.

BISSO MARINE EXTRACTS PENETRATED JACK UP LEG FROM THE MUD

BISSO MARINE set new Gulf of Mexico salvage record by successfully extracting a LeTourneau, Inc., designed 84 Class Leg and Can section from a penetrated depth of 82’ of mud.
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Continuing with the efforts to clean up Hurricane Rita damage, the BISSO MARINE salvage team extracted the first of three Letourneau, Inc., 84 Class leg and can sections which remain penetrated into the sea floor of the Gulf of Mexico the 130’ long Leg and Can sections each having 425 tons of steel weight. The three 84 Class Leg and Can sections are in 230’ of water and each have 82’ of penetration.

In late 2005, while using the D/B BOAZ, BISSO MARINE had previously removed approximately 235’ of leg from each of the three 84 Class legs which protruded into the water column near the surface and were viewed as a possible hazard to navigation by their owner. Since early 2006, BISSO MARINE has been working in a collaborative effort with the rig owner to assemble a BISSO MARINE designed barge having the capability to physically pull the Leg and Can sections from their deeply penetrated location. The BARGE 415 is designed with a maximum pull of 3,000 tons over the stern and has a side lift capability of 5,000 tons.

With 1,600 tons of force, BARGE 415 supported by the D/B BOAZ together were able to successfully stand the first 30’ x 30’ square 84 Class leg section from an angle of approximately 45 degrees to a completely vertical position. Once vertical, the BARGE 415 applied a force of between 2,000 and 2,500 tons, depending on the sea state, until the leg and the 46’ diameter can were suspended in the water column clear of the sea floor. To assist the pulling efforts of the BARGE 415, the D/B BOAZ conducted airlifting and jetting operations using high volume/high pressure air compressors. The operation took seven days of pulling, airlifting and jetting to stand the Leg and Can to a vertical position and to extract. The first 130’ section was transported to a temporary wet storage location in the immediate vicinity until the other two sections are extracted at which time all three will be transported to a permanent reefing location.

BISSO MARINE has also mobilized several of its custom designed 10 x 6, 4 stage, “Super Jet Pumps” to the salvage location to assist in the extrication process. Each of the BISSO MARINE “Super Jet Pumps” is a self contained, crash caged, skid mounted portable unit capable of delivering 2,800 GPM at 1,150 PSI at the nozzle tip. The “Super Jet Pumps” are each powered by 1,600 HP Cummins KTA50.

BISSO MARINE is under contract to extract and transport a total of fifteen LeTourneau, Inc. designed legs with cans to various reef locations. The fifteen LeTourneau, Inc. legs and cans are a combination of (6) 116-C Class, (3) 116 Class, (3) 84 Class and (3) 52 Class. The water depths range between 155 feet and 320 feet at five separate locations across the Gulf of Mexico

BISSO MARINE SALVAGES LIFT BOAT

BISSO MARINE recently salvaged a 200 CLASS Lift Boat which sank earlier this year in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 45 miles offshore. While on the bottom, the Lift Boat rested on its starboard side perpendicular to the seafloor and settled to approximately 15’ below natural bottom. The 700 ton capacity D/B CAPPY BISSO was used to lift the 670 ton lift boat from a water depth of 110’. In advance of the arrival of the D/B CAPPY BISSO, the D/B BOAZ was utilized to remove the upper leg sections and pre-rig the Lift Boat with three custom designed 500 ton capacity toggles.

Once the weight of the Lift Boat was safely supported by the D/B CAPPY BISSO, divers cut the lower leg sections below the hull and the D/B CAPPY BISSO lifted the liftboat to the surface where it was refloated. The Lift Boat and its components were delivered to a shipyard for repair.

BISSO SETS 1200 TON SUPERSTRUCTURE
BISSO MARINE recently used the 700 ton capacity D/B CAPPY BISSO and 600 ton capacity D/B LILI BISSO in tandem to lift, transport and set a 1200 ton superstructure on to a newly constructed vessel at NORTH AMERICAN SHIPYARD in Larose, Louisiana.

BISSO MARINE SALVAGES ABANDONED BARGE
BISSO MARINE recently salvaged the first of two abandoned barges from the Mississippi River in the Port of New Orleans for the United States Coast Guard. The two 270’ x 50’ Red Flag Oil Barges are the last of hundreds of Hurricane Katrina related salvage casualties which the Coast Guard had managed.

The salvage of the first barge was complicated due to an unknown petrochemical sludge which was found to be in the cargo holds. The BISSO MARINE salvage team, including members of T&T BISSO, LLC and MARINE POLLUTION RESPONSE, successfully lightered a significant amount of product from the barge while on the river bottom prior to bringing the barge to the surface. Once on the surface, the salvage team continued to lighter the sludge into a receiver tank barge for proper disposal. Having sustained damage which prevented any refloating possibilities, the first Red Flag Oil Barge will be lifted on to the 300’ x 100’ deck barge BISSO 301 and transported to the remediation and disposal site.

BISSO MARINE LAUNCHES THREE NEW VESSELS
BISSO MARINE Heavy Lift Division recently launched three newly constructed vessels, a 280T, 90’ Anchor Handling Tug for MARINER SHIPYARD; a 340T, 140’x54’x9’ deck barge for INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTING and a 500T, 165’ OSV for THOMAS-SEA BOAT BUILDERS. All of the vessels were launched with the 700 T capacity D/B CAPPY BISSO and all were in the Houma, LA area.

BISSO MARINE CONTINUES THRUSTER WORK
BISSO MARINE recently mobilized the D/B BOAZ to EWING BANK 383 to successfully change out (4) 160 ton thrusters. The work was performed while on anchor in 450 feet of water. BISSO MARINE providing all heavy lift, marine transportation and diving services....... BACK TO TOP >>>

BISSO MARINE VENTURES INTO DEEPWATER
BISSO MARINE recently mobilized the D/B BOAZ to GREEN CANYON 788 to perform thruster repair work. Due to the need to perform the operation on location in + 6,500’ of water, the BISSO MARINE engineering team devised a special mooring arrangement to facilitate successfully accomplishing the detailed scope of work while allowing the semi-submersible rig to maintain a working draft and remain under dynamically positioned control. BISSO MARINE completed the project providing all heavy lift, marine transportation and diving services.

During the last 12 months in the Gulf of Mexico, BISSO MARINE has performed over 60 thruster removal and installation sequences for semi submersible rigs...... BACK TO TOP >>>

BISSO MARINE ASSISTS IN FOURCHON
BISSO MARINE CO., INC. recently responded to the emergency call to assist with the salvage of an Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) which sank in Belle Pass, Port Fourchon, Louisiana. The 216 foot long AHTS sank on the edge of the east side of the channel with the main deck barely awash. BISSO MARINE immediately mobilized divers and tugboats to assist in the stabilization efforts. Once it was determined that there was no eminent danger of further sinking, BISSO MARINE divers began a patching and pumping operation and dewatered the vessel except where significantly holed in the bow. The salvage team placed a salvage bundle under the bow and the 600 ton capacity D/B LILI BISSO was used to lift the 6140 BHP vessel. Once the D/B LILI BISSO lifted the bow, the derrick barge assisted the AHTS, whose lightship displacement is 1230 tons, to an area drydock for immediate repairs...... BACK TO TOP >>>

BISSO MARINE REFLOATS 10,000 TONS
The wrath of Hurricane Katrina left a 400’ x 138’, drydock loaded with a 120,000 BBL oil barge, combined weighing almost 10,000 tons, grounded in the Industrial Canal in the New Orleans area.

BISSO MARINE was contracted by BOLLINGER SHIPYARDS to perform the refloating. The drydock was comprised of four individual drydock pontoons; the pontoons were connected by the shipyard to accommodate the large oil barge. Consequently, the challenge for the salvage team was to solve the problem of refloating four drydocks with one barge straddling all four.

The salvage team was mobilized and commenced exhaustive diving and surveying operation. The salvage team worked for 70 days to repair damage and prepare the drydock for an extraordinary pulling force. The BISSO MARINE salvage team, led by Ken Edgar, Sr. Salvage Engineer, devised a plan to interconnect the four drydock pontoons.

With a refloating plan in place, BISSO MARINE collaborated with VERSABUILD and co-engineered four specialized pulling barges to provide a 3,200 ton pulling force. The challenges of the operation were further compounded by the narrow waterway outboard of the grounded drydock. The channel width was <400’. To overcome the insufficient channel width, BISSO MARINE engineered a mooring plan to bury anchors across the channel in a rock yard which is operated by PONTCHARTRAIN MATERIALS.

      

BISSO MARINE contracted BOH BROS for logistical and ground preparation support at PONTCHARTRAIN MATERIALS which included the burial of eight anchors (22,000 lbs – 40,000 lbs) several hundred feet inshore.

The salvage team fabricated toggle beams and bolsters at four locations to serve as the pulling points on the drydock. The pull barges were connected to the toggles and then connected to an equalizing bridle made of 4” anchor chain which was connected to the buried anchors.

Once the drydock was refloated, salvage teams conducted some repairs to the drydocks pontoons then shifted the drydock and oil barge into the deeper channel and lowered the drydock to refloat and deliver the oil barge...... BACK TO TOP >>>

BISSO MARINE SALVAGES SURVEY VESSEL
BISSO MARINE recently completed the salvage of a 480 ton survey vessel which purportedly sank after striking a platform which was toppled following Hurricane Rita.

The vessel sank in 148’ of water in the South Marsh Island area and was lying across an 18” gas pipeline. The BISSO MARINE salvage team utilized a DP2 DSV to conduct the survey and rigging operations of the vessel during the winter and returned to the location at the first available opportunity with the D/B BOAZ and the 600 ton capacity D/B LILI BISSO in early May to lift the vessel off of the pipeline and to the surface.

The vessel was lifted upside down, rather than upright, to mitigate the risk of pipeline damage during a righting attempt. Once off of the pipeline the vessel was moved away from the pipeline and lifted in the water column to the maximum capability of the D/B LILI BISSO. The vessel was transferred to two bolstered brackets on the D/B LILI BISSO where it hung until the lifting rigging could be shortened. Once the rigging was changed the vessel was removed from the bolstered brackets and lifted out of the water and placed on to a materials barge for delivery...... BACK TO TOP >>>

BISSO MARINE RECOVERS DAMAGED 20” LINE
Upon completion of the second successful pipelay, 22,000’ x 6” in the Ship Shoal area, BISSO MARINE pipeline division reconfigured the DLB BIG CHIEF to recover 14,000’ of 20” pipeline in the Main Pass area. The 20” pipeline, which was crossed by three trunklines, had been uncovered, kinked and moved about during Hurricane Ivan, leaving the line in a condition which prevented any opportunity to pig the pipeline prior to the removal.

Due to the pipeline being “hot”, BISSO MARINE devised a plan to pull the pipeline onto the barge’s “recovery line”, purge and cold cut. The cut piece of pipeline was then encapsulated and placed onto the materials barge for transport to a facility for cleaning and disposal.

The customization of the DLB BIG CHIEF included the fabrication of a large pollution containment area; a heavy duty frame to support the hydraulic cutting machine and heavy wall pipe rollers to support the pipeline while on deck. The recovery of the pipeline was completed without incident and on schedule.

The DLB BIG CHIEF is currently engaged in additional pipelay projects in the western gulf..... BACK TO TOP >>>

BISSO MARINE TO ASSIST IN THRUSTER REPAIR PROJECT
BISSO MARINE has been contracted by GlobalSantaFe Corporation to assist in the repair of the thrusters on the GSF Development Driller I and GSF Development Driller II. The 600 ton capacity D/B LILI BISSO will be on location in the Grand Island area to assist in the repair work on thrusters. BISSO MARINE is also providing logistical and operational support for the project. BACK TO TOP >>>