CGA is proud to launch our first of three newly constructed 95’ Fast Response Vessels (FRVs), the H.I. RICH. Built by Midship Marine in Harvey, LA, this unique state-of-the-art platform will greatly enhance CGA’s ability to rapidly respond to oil spills in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
CLEAN GULF ASSOCIATES TO LAUNCH NEW GULF-BASED RAPID RESPONSE
OIL SPILL CLEAN-UP VESSEL
NEW ORLEANS, LA- Oil spill response efforts in the Gulf of Mexico will be aided by the addition of a new 95-foot rapid response vessel being dedicated by Clean Gulf Associates on July 18th. The H.I. Rich, named after Harry Rich who dedicated his career to improving oil spill response, is the first of three similar clean-up vessels designed and purchased by the non-profit oil spill clean-up consortium to be posted along the Gulf to dramatically improve response times and capabilities.
“These new rapid response vessels are a part of our continuous effort to grow our response fleet with cutting edge technology in keeping with our commitment to protect the environment throughout the Gulf of Mexico,” said Captain Frank Paskewich, Executive Director of Clean Gulf Associates.
The H.I. Rich, built locally by Midship Marine, is the first aluminum construction oil spill response vessel in the Gulf of Mexico that can safely conduct clean-up operations during both day and night hours through the utilization of its x-band radar and infrared oil detection systems. The vessel’s estimated daily recovery capacity is 12,500 barrels of oil / water mix per day. This new vessel, which goes into service immediately, and its two companion ships which will launch by September, are designed to operate up to 200 miles out into the Gulf as well as in shallow water inland marshes and estuaries. All three vessels are equipped with a pair of three-brush Lamor side-mounted skimmers with 249 barrels of recovered oil storage and state of the art navigation and communication systems.
The H.I. Rich will be docked in Leeville, Louisiana in Lafourche Parish while its sister ships will be domiciled in Venice, Louisiana and Galveston, Texas. Each vessel is to be manned by a crew of six specially trained response team members. The three new vessels represent a $10.5 million investment in new Clean Gulf response resources designated for the Gulf of Mexico.
“Clean Gulf Associates consistently delivers new technology and equipment to ensure fast and professional response capabilities for the deep and shallow water marine as well as coastal environments and will help protect the delicate ecosystem throughout the Gulf of Mexico,” said Todd Lee of BHP Billiton currently serving as the Chairman of the 10 member Executive Committee that oversees Clean Gulf Associates activities.
Other key elements of the Clean Gulf Associates’ spill response resources include a turbo prop dispersant aircraft, which Clean Gulf funded in 2009, water containment and clean-up equipment such as four 46’ Fast Response Vessels, four trailerable 56 foot purpose-built skimming vessels capable of operating in shallow waters (3′ – 4′) and the near shore areas, twelve portable self contained skimming Fast Response Units and 11 sets of rigid sweeping Koseq arms to be deployed on large offshore supply vessels, a $10 million High Volume Open Sea Skimmer system (HOSS) which is one of the most advanced long duration offshore oil spill collection systems in the world, and two different models of shallow water skimmers for shallow water operations such as in bays, bayous, marshes and lakes. In addition to this equipment, CGA also owns and stocks ocean containment boom, and has wildlife rehabilitation and support trailers..
Founded in 1972, Clean Gulf Associates (CGA) is the oldest oil spill response cooperative operating in the Gulf of Mexico. Today, CGA serves 130 member companies in the pipeline and oil and gas exploration and production industries operating throughout the Gulf Coast. CGA owns and operates more than $50 million in spill response equipment and technology and operates out of 8 coastal bases throughout the Gulf region from Ingleside, Texas to Pascagoula, Mississippi.