Big IOT Petroleum Barge Launched At Galveston Shipbuilding

Ocean 210 (shown above), a 200,000-barrel petroleum barge, was launched recently at the Galveston S h i p b u i l d i n g Company yard in Galveston, Texas. The 25,000-dwt barge, under construction for Interstate and Ocean Transport Company (IOT), will be employed in the U.S. coastal transportation of petroleum products. A t t e n d i n g the ceremony from Interstate's P h i l a d e l p h ia headquarters were Stephen A.

Van Dvck, president and chief operating officer, and his wife, Barrie. Representing Galveston Shipbuilding were H.J. Fiegel Jr., president; Lowry E. Gilbreath, vice president, operations; M. Dan Jones, vice president, engineering; Louis H. Runge, vice p r e s i d e n t , finance; Charles B. Smith, secretary; and Nat Mc- Clure, marketing manager.

With dimensions of 511 feet by 84 feet and a depth of 37 feet, the Ocean 210 is equipped with six cargo tanks that are divided into four cargo systems, each with a deepwell pump. The barge is also fitted with a cargo heating system to enable the carrying of cargoes such as No. 6 oil as well as clean petroleum products. The barge will be powered by a twinscrew 6,000-bhp tug that is similar to nine other tugs in the Interstate fleet. The tug/barge unit is fitted with a deep notch and patented Stinger system for improved maneuverability and fuel efficiency. Like other recently built Interstate tugs, this tug will be fitted with the latest in e l e c t r o n i c communications and navigations equipment, including collision-avoidance radar.

The Ocean 210 is one of two 200,000-barrel barges currently under construction for Interstate. The sister barge, Ocean 211, is scheduled for delivery in early 1982.