OSFI fleet to rise with new barge lContractor moves for heavy-lift vessel as court battle draws near

Dubbed the Gulf Fleet 252, the new derrick barge will be the fifth such unit in OSFI's inventory. The 250-foot by 72-foot cargo barge will be fitted with a 330-short-ton crane and will primarily ply state waters no further than 30 miles (48 kilometres) offshore.

The barge is expected to enter service some time this year.

Another derrick barge, the 1320-short-ton Swing Thompson, is scheduled to enter dry-dock in a week for US Coast Guard inspections before returning offshore to remove platforms for ChevronTexaco.

Meanwhile,