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Random Quote: All fishermen are liars; it's an occupational disease with them like housemaid's knee or editor's ulcers. ~Beatrice Cook, Till Fish Do Us Part, 1949
We are currently moving the Ocean Valiant to Angola (West Africa) but are stopping south of Fourchon before leaving. If anyone is interested, I'll post info on water clarity along the way.
7/28/09 08:00 @ 28.00.253N 90.30.350W Clear green with 50+ feet visibility. ( Can see the pontoons with a 70' draft )
Why not send us a few pictures along the way too. That has got to be a site to see. I pulled the spec's on it and all I can say is good luck and hope you got a trolling rod with ya it's going to be a long trip.
Why not send us a few pictures along the way too. That has got to be a site to see. I pulled the spec's on it and all I can say is good luck and hope you got a trolling rod with ya it's going to be a long trip.
Will do. We will be making a crew change in Trinidad. Last time we were over there, the tuna fishing was unreal. We are only making 2.7 knots due to us being ballast down for some last minute repairs. We should ballast back up soon, kick the props in and get on our way
that's cool, I guess you got to entertain the crew someway so let them fish for the big ones. Using the cranes as out riggers would keep a good spread on the lines. Guess the big challange will be getting the fish out of the water and up to the deck. Need one really long gaff. Where is the fuel tanker that follows you at? Can't get too many feet per gallon of fuel when you drag a rig that size. so lets do the math 2.7 plus knots = about 45 days if all goes well ??
that's cool, I guess you got to entertain the crew someway so let them fish for the big ones. Using the cranes as out riggers would keep a good spread on the lines. Guess the big challange will be getting the fish out of the water and up to the deck. Need one really long gaff. Where is the fuel tanker that follows you at? Can't get too many feet per gallon of fuel when you drag a rig that size. so lets do the math 2.7 plus knots = about 45 days if all goes well ??
7/30/09 @ 0700
28*18.766 N
89*41.885 W
Blue green
We use a piece of 1/2" rope with a 3 prong gaff that we clip onto our fishing line when we get the fish to the rig. We lower the gaff under the fish and yank up on the rope, setting the gaff. Works pretty good. I'll post some pics of this setup later. We carry enough fuel onboard for the entire trip. 13,480 bbls. We should average 7 knots once we ballast the rest of the way up burning 125-150 bbls per day. The Valiant is a self propelled semisub with a top speed of 12 knots (light). Nothing but sharks and cudas so far
I thought the spec's showed she could power herself. I just saw what looked like a line attached that was pulling the rig. That's just cool to see, something that big and sitting on (p) toons booking across the big water. Wish I was able to motor out and look for myself.
I thought the spec's showed she could power herself. I just saw what looked like a line attached that was pulling the rig. That's just cool to see, something that big and sitting on (p) toons booking across the big water. Wish I was able to motor out and look for myself.
She is self propelled, 4 x 2700 HP electric motors for a total of 10,800 shaft HP. The main engines are 6 ea Wartsila Vasa 6R32's rated at 3020 BHP coupled to 2.14 MW AC generators. We do have a tug hooked to the front to assist. Here are some pics of the new derrick installation done in Dec 08 in Brownsville Tx.
Very cool. I was in Venice in Feb and couldn't believe the size of those things.
__________________
"Destination"
2005 Contender 27 Yamaha F225's
Actually, You DON'T disagree with me. You THINK you disagree with me, but you're mistaken. You're simply experiencing an illusion caused by the limits of your comprehension. -Dilbert
You guys seriously need like 12 Optimax's with Rev 4s for stern lift on the back of that thing. My calculations show 0.037 MPG.
I was a directional driller on the Ocean Valiant and the Ocean America years ago. Great rigs and the BEST crews to work with.
PS. Bored in the drilling office wishing I wsa on the rig or fishing !!
When were you on the Valiant? We probably met. I've been on here since 1995. There are still alot of the same guys on here. Great crew
Here is the latest...
Pretty much the same place, 28*13.148N 89*41.715 W (I think that's Mars next to us) Blue green water and the wind is picking up. 12-14 knots gusts to 16. Seas 3-4.
You guys seriously need like 12 Optimax's with Rev 4s for stern lift on the back of that thing. My calculations show 0.037 MPG.
I was a directional driller on the Ocean Valiant and the Ocean America years ago. Great rigs and the BEST crews to work with.
PS. Bored in the drilling office wishing I wsa on the rig or fishing !!
Think how much fuel that rig must generate-(you would think they would burn more than produced at that speed/mpg).
Its amazing how much fuel/gas/oil one rig can generate.
Looking for bluewater? 
