Submitted by Michael Spicer
August 30, 2016 10:00 a.m.
Two large lift boats are visiting Fernandina for a few days to refuel and to weather the approaching storms. The Paul and the Caitlin are owned by Montco Offshore and on their way to their home port in Louisiana from Rhode Island where they have been working on an offshore wind energy project.
The legs on the ships are 235 feet in length and the ships are able to work in waters that are 180 feet deep. Once the ship positions itself at a particular location they are able to lift the ship up out of the water with their three legs that rest on the seabed thus supporting and stabilizing the ship. The ships have a crew of 10 and accommodations for additional contract workers. Each ship carries 24,000 gallons of fuel and can travel up to 6 knots per hour.
Michael Spicer has degrees in Geology and Anthropology, has experience in the energy and insurance industries and is a veteran, a musician, world traveler, environmental fine art photographer, and registered independent. He lives in Fernandina Beach with his wife, artist and author, Carol Beck. We thank Michael for his contribution to the Fernandina Observer.
Editor’s Note: Mike Pikula provided additional information: “The “Paul” and the “Caitlen” had finished their windmill building near Block Island, RI and were returning to home port Fourchon, LA. The enormous powered barges with 235′ “legs” are owned by Montco Offshore and are used primarily in the offshore oil business but are ideally suited for building offshore windmills, too.