Houston-based J. Ray McDermott (“J. Ray”), a subsidiary of McDermott International, Inc., is upgrading its primary Gulf of Mexico derrick / pipelay barge, DB50 for future deepwater projects, by adding new thrusters and increasing its electrical power supply.

The DB50 will have its entire power plant replaced with new diesel-engine generator sets totaling 19.2 megawatts, new switchboards and a state-of-the-art power management/alarm system. Also, the existing four 2.4 megawatt controlled pitch thrusters will be replaced with six new 2.4 megawatt fixed pitch / variable AC drive thrusters, which will provide 44 tons of thrust each. In addition, the freshwater and saltwater cooling system and the supply/exhaust ventilation system will be upgraded in both engine and thruster machinery spaces. The dynamic positioning control system was upgraded in 2007 with new hardware.

”This investment in DB50 will significantly increase the station-keeping capability of the vessel, allowing it to operate in more severe weather conditions and the two additional thrusters will greatly increase redundancy,” said John Nesser, J. Ray’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “These improvements, along with other modifications to ship’s systems over the three year upgrade program  will add tremendous value to the vessel’s capabilities, which will ultimately prove beneficial to our customers’ deepwater projects.”

DB50 is J. Ray’s Gulf of Mexico premier heavy-lift and pipelay vessel, capable of lifting loads up to 4,400 tons, and laying pipe through Reel-Lay and J-Lay up to 20 inches in diameter, in more than 9,000 feet of water.