Harvey Bisso Subsea launches operations

Harvey Bisso Subsea has launched operations to provide subsea services to the energy and maritime industries. The new venture combines the expertise, resources and experience of Bisso Marine and Harvey Gulf International Marine.

The centerpiece of the venture is a new, fully-classed 12-man Saturation Diving System with a working depth of 1,000 feet (300 m). The portable SAT system will be deployed from the Harvey Discovery, a 265 x 58-foot, DP2 certified multi-purpose support vessel outfitted with a 65-ton crane and moon pool. The vessel provides accommodations for up to 53.

"This new venture is a perfect fit for both companies and gives us the opportunity to provide a wider range of subsea services to our respective clients," said Shane J. Guidry, chairman and chief executive officer of Harvey Gulf.

The new SAT system features a gas reclaim system, which allows expelled gases to be circulated and recycled. It has a dual-lock, six-man deck decompression chamber, a 12-man launchable flyaway hyperbaric rescue chamber, a dual-lock, six-man come-out chamber and a three-man diving bell.

"This SAT system expands our working depth and fully maximizes our productive bottom time," said W.A. "Beau" Bisso IV, president and chief executive officer of Bisso Marine. "Combined with Harvey Gulf's dynamically positioned vessel, we can provide maximized safety and an even greater level of diving services to our clients worldwide."

The portable diving system has a bell launch and recovery system, a saturation dive control van and two machinery vans. It has a 12-ton main bell winch and a six-ton guide wire winch. The bell umbilical is 1,150 feet long and the bell handling system is a hydraulically actuated A-frame. The system is fully classed by ABS and IMCA compliant.