Eastern Shipbuilding and LaBorde Marine, LLC Showcase M/V GenieLab at Workboat

Celebration on board new, high-tech vessel highlights the capabilities of both firms and puts perfect exclamation point on a successful week in New Orleans.

At this month’s Workboat Show in New Orleans, perhaps no other party – celebrating the completion of the M/V GenieLab – dialed into the mood and ambiance of the Big Easy than the bash thrown by Laborde Marine, LLC and Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. The reception that took place aboard the vessel on Thursday, December 3, 2009 from 4:00 PM – 7:00PM at the Julia Street Wharf New Orleans, LA, will long be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to attend. The first class vessel, of course, will endure even longer.

The vessel was additionally made available for viewing from 9:00 AM onwards on that day. During the reception, our focused 30 minute guided tour revealed a robust, amply sized and high-tech workboat. The Eastern Shipbuilding Group-built ABS Classed, IMO compliant 12A, Diesel Z-Drive Driven, SOLAS Certified, DP-2 Platform Supply Vessel measures 260 feet long by 60 foot (beam) and sports a loaded draft of 19’-06”.

Beyond the impressive accoutrements of the vessel, any of us who have had the opportunity to drive another deep draft vessel would agree that the M/V GenieLab is well fitted with the best technology available for this class of workboat. With a Dry Bulk capacity of about 12,355 Cubic Feet and Liquid Mud capacity equating to 10,580 barrels, the vessel clearly will not lack for work. But, the reception and hospitality extended by both the vessel’s builder and owner – all extended just a stone’s throw from the Workboat Show itself – provide the perfect venue to kick off what will be a long and productive period of future service. The U.S.-flag fleet, already positioned to compete in this market, just got a little stronger. – MarEx

• On the WEB:

Eastern Shipbuilding: www.easternshipbuilding.com
Laborde Marine, LLC: www.labordemarine.com