Offshore supply vessel launched

ESCATAWPA, Miss. -- VT Halter Marine launched and christened HOS Commander, the first of 10 vessels that Covington, La.-based Hornbeck Offshore Services will use to supply deepwater offshore exploration. The offshore supply vessels represent about a $442 million contract for VT Halter, who is building six of them at the Moss Point Marine yard in Escatawpa and four at the Halter Moss Point yard. The boats, called Super 320 Class OSVs, are designed to carry about 20,900 barrels of liquid mud and have 11,863 square feet of deck area. (Source: Mississippi Press, 04/09/13)