Printer Friendly Page

Ocean Titan Joins SIU Fleet

November 2005

More SIU deep sea jobs recently appeared on the horizon when the Pacific-Gulf Marine (PGM) operated Ocean Titan began sailing under the red, white and blue. Formerly the Industrial Chief, the Ocean Titan was reflagged under the Maritime Security Program and brought under U.S. registry Sept. 21 in the port of Houston. Prevailing weather conditions during the event were far from ideal according to PGM Chief Executive Officer Todd Johnson. The reflagging took place during the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and just prior to the landfall of Hurricane Rita in Texas. Given the impact the hurricane had on both personnel and the shipyard, conditions were difficult but spirits were high, Johnson said. A heavy lift vessel, the Ocean Titan is the sister ship of the Ocean Atlas. PGM operates both vessels for Intermarine Inc. The Ocean Titan was undergoing modifications at Atlantic Marine Shipyard in Mobile, Ala., when Hurricane Katrina and subsequent flooding hit the Gulf Coast at the end of August. It was moved to the port of Houston to complete the reflagging process and conversion to U.S. registry. “It was a team effort and a tribute to the vessel’s officers, crew and the shore-side management team who played a significant role in the re-flag process,” said Johnson. “On behalf of the owners, we look forward to many successful years of operation under the U.S. flag.” The Ocean Titan took on cargo in Houston and put out to sea for South America Sept. 27 on its first voyage under the U.S. flag. The Ocean Titan as well as the Ocean Atlas are 8,000 dwt Century Class vessels, are 393 feet long and feature two 200-ton heavy-lift deck cranes, which can be operated in unison to lift 400 tons. In addition, both are registered in the MSP, which as of Oct. 1 was renewed for 10 years. The renewed MSP expands the fleet enrollment from 47 to 60 vessels and increases the operating assistance for each vessel gradually over 10 years from its previous level of $2.1 million per year. The MSP was authorized in the Maritime Security Act of 1996. The law provided limited direct operating assistance to U.S.-flagged vessels that have military utility and can be used by the Department of Defense in times of war or national emergency. Legislation enacted in 2003 renewed the program through September 2015.