Crew Boats and Floating Dry Dock's

Crew boats and floating dry docks serve an important part in the maritime industry. Where a crew
boat is a specialized vessel for transporting cargo to offshore installations, a dry dock is a movable
platform of floating pontoons designed to dry dock a ship for repairs. There can be a direct
association between the two: a crew boat can be enlisted to bring supplies or transport personnel to
a floating dry dock. Here are some explanations of the two vessels.

Crew Boat

This type of vessel the task of transporting above and below deck cargo, such as water, oil, and
support personnel. Also known as fast support vessels, they range in size from 30 to 200 feet in
length, depending upon the support application. They can work 200 miles from shore or make
shorter, more repeated trips. The hulls are primarily made of aluminum for lightweight efficiency
and they are typically powered by four to six diesel engines. They can have either screw or water jet
propulsion. They routinely carry 50 to 100 passengers, or a number outlined by the inspection
certificate issued by the Coast Guard. Watches are usually split between two onboard captains in 12-
hour shifts. Crew Boats abide by certain times at sea called rotations and they are commonly 14,
21, and 28-day durations in the U.S. These boats have full galleys, sleeping accommodations and
showers for all crew members.

Examples of Crew Boats

Stingray 10 OBM

The Stingray 10 OBM is classified as a fast patrol vessel, used by the Singapore Police Coast Guard. It
has a length of 10.5 meters and a beam of 3.2 meters. Its maximum speed is 45 knots. The Stingray is
equipped to transport personnel, provide sanctioned boarding, deliver and provide emergency
medical support and law enforcement duties.

Stingray 20 SPDSuncraft International

The Stingray 20 SPD is a landing craft vessel with a length of 20 meters and a 5.6-meter beam. Its
speed is rated at plus 20 knots with an 890 horsepower rating split between two engines. This vessel
is capable of landing personnel, light vehicles and hard components, fuel, oil, water and other
supplies. It has below and above deck storage capability, with full crew quarter compliments.

Ms. Netty

Ms. Netty is a crew boat with a monohull design and measures 225 feet in length. Built by Gulf Craft,
it is operated and owned by Gulf Offshore Logistics. It has over 4,380 square feet of unobstructed
deck space. It can carry water or transferable fuel, 66,300 and 77,204 gallons respectively. Capable
of 33 knots, Ms. Netty also has accommodations for 74 passengers.

Floating Dry Dock's

Floating dry docks are huge pontoon platform vessels that can be towed to destination. A floating
dry dock has buoyancy chambers that can be flooded, combined with a U-shaped cross section.
When the buoyancy chambers are flooded, the outside wall super structure lowers which keeps the
vessel stable. Ships in needed of repair are floated into the submerged deck area. After pumping out
the water, the dry dock raises and effectively beaches the guest vehicle so it can be repaired in a dry
environment. Common Floating Dry Dock's contain multiple sections fashioned in rectangular
segments. The sections provide for different lengths and dimensions that allow customized fitting
for any vessel as long as the overall length is not exceeded. Floating Dry Docks have the advantage
of being delivered to any location in the world to facilitate repairs. Many floating dry docks can
exceed 800 feet in length.

The Yargan Dry Dock

One of the newest Floating Dry Dock's is the Yargan, sporting a length of 99 meters and width of 53
meters. The Yargan is sponsored by Landcorp and the Australian Maritime Complex. The vessel has
the ability to lift 12,000 ton ships, such a large commercial vessels and the Collins class submarine. It
features fully automated maneuvering and ballast systems, making loading easy and precise. The
Yargan is the most technologically advance dry dock vessel in the world today, a perfect fit for
Western Australias ship building sector.

About Strategic Marine

Strategic Marine is a Western-Australian shipbuilding company that has produced over 400 different
shapes and water vessels. For more information visit
http://www.strategicmarine.com/products/offshore-and-commercial.aspx.