Scenic Eclipse Back in Action
Scenic Eclipse Back in Action Thanks to Gulf Copper’s Swift Drydock Expertise
The luxury expedition ship Scenic Eclipse has returned to service following critical repairs conducted at Gulf Copper’s Galveston shipyard. The vessel, known for its adventurous itineraries, experienced propulsion issues in September, necessitating an urgent drydock to replace a faulty Azipod.
Gulf Copper’s team swiftly responded to the challenge, accommodating the 228-guest ship and facilitating the complex repair process. Remarkably, the replacement Azipod was delivered to the shipyard via a chartered Antonov 124 aircraft, one of the world’s largest cargo planes, highlighting the scale and urgency of the operation.
Story of the Month: GCES Rope Teams Rise to the Challenge
Gulf Copper Energy Services Rope Teams Rise to the Challenge at Dali/Baltimore Bridge Incident
When disaster strikes, Gulf Copper Energy Services (GCES) is ready to respond. This month, our highly skilled rope access team demonstrated their expertise and dedication in a critical situation involving the Dali/Baltimore Bridge. When a vessel collided with the bridge, causing significant damage and threatening the integrity of the structure, GCES was called upon to provide essential rigging support for the removal of unstable cargo containers.
Our rope team, renowned for their experience in challenging environments, worked tirelessly alongside other emergency responders to secure the area and develop a safe removal plan. Using specialized rigging techniques and their in-depth knowledge of rope access systems, our team safely removed the containers, preventing further damage to the bridge and ensuring the safety of everyone involved. This swift and effective response is a testament to the professionalism and dedication of our GCES rope access team, highlighting Gulf Copper’s commitment to providing exceptional services in even the most demanding situations.
Gulf Copper Proudly Supports Battleship Texas’ Historic Restoration
At Gulf Copper, we’ve always been honored to play a role in preserving history. That’s why we’re thrilled to be a part of the ongoing restoration of the Battleship Texas, a legendary World War II vessel that bravely fired the first shots on D-Day. This iconic ship, a symbol of American courage and resilience, served our country with distinction, participating in numerous battles and earning 11 battle stars.
The Battleship Texas Foundation, a dedicated non-profit organization, has embarked on an ambitious $35 million restoration project to ensure this historic ship can continue inspiring future generations. Gulf Copper is proud to be a partner in this effort, contributing our expertise and world-class facilities at the Gulf Copper Dry Dock & Rig Repair in Galveston, Texas.
The extensive restoration efforts, which have been underway since 2022, have already seen over 700 tons of steel replaced and the hull repainted. With the ship successfully refloated in March 2024, the focus is shifting towards restoring the interior spaces, replacing the wood deck, and finalizing the navigation bridge.
We firmly believe that the Battleship Texas is a national treasure that deserves to be preserved. It’s a tangible reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedom.
Learn more about the Battleship Texas’ incredible journey and this historic restoration project:
KXAN News: Inside Battleship Texas’ Historic Comeback 80 Years After D-Day
https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/inside-battleship-texas-historic-comeback-80-years-after-d-day/
Battleship Texas New Home at Pier 21 in Galveston
GALVESTON, Texas – After years of planning, the Battleship Texas Foundation is nearing final agreements with both Landry’s Inc. and the Port of Galveston to dock the historic USS Texas permanently at Pier 21.
Tony Gregory, President/CEO of the Battleship Texas Foundation, announced Thursday that the Foundation is approximately 60 days away from signing contracts with both parties. Landry’s operates several attractions adjacent to Pier 21, including the Harbor House Hotel and Willie G’s Seafood & Steaks. If finalized, the agreements would provide a long-term home for the deteriorating but iconic 110-year-old battleship following recent restoration work.
Mark Ashwell, Director of Business Development at Gulf Copper Dry Dock & Rig Repair, where restoration on the USS Texas began in September 2022 stated, “This will be a great enhancement for Galveston City and its people, as it will keep the iconic battleship in Texas and improve the overall tourist experience on the island.
The Battleship Texas will allow people from all over the country to tour the battleship to feel nostalgic and see the once state-of-the-art technology and engineering marvel of the only remaining World War I Dreadnought.”
Battleship USS Texas Is Making One Hell of a Comeback
The USS Texas, a World War I-era battleship, is undergoing a $35 million repair effort in Galveston, Texas. While the ship is in dry dock, the Battleship Texas Foundation has been providing limited tours so visitors can see the damage to the hull and the repair efforts. The tours, which began last month and run every Sunday, are only open to visitors who are at least 16 years old and who adhere to a strict dress code. The USS Texas is the oldest surviving modern naval warship and has seen service in both world wars. After the repairs are completed, the foundation intends to relocate the ship to a new location, with Baytown, Galveston, and Beaumont expressing interest in hosting it.
IDIQ Announcement
Gulf Copper was one of the awardees on a combined $300,185,454 firm-fixed price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract for non-complex repair, maintenance, and modernization requirements of non-nuclear U.S. Navy amphibious (LHA, LHD, LPD and LSD) class ships homeported in or visiting Norfolk, Virginia. These efforts consist of Chief of Naval Operations scheduled docking and non-docking, continuous maintenance, and emergent maintenance availabilities of amphibious class ships to be performed in Norfolk, Virginia. Accordingly, the place of performance is Norfolk, Virginia where the Mid-Atlantic Maintenance Center (MARMC) will administer the contract. Delivery orders will be competitively awarded under this contract, which are to be performed in Norfolk, Virginia. Each of the contracts has an estimated ordering period of four years, which is expected to end in January of 2027.
Award of NOAA Henry Bigelow
Congratulations to Gulf Copper and Manufacturing being awarded the $3.9 Million Dry Docking and refurbishment of the NOAA vessel M/V Henry Bigelow. We look forward to a successful project under the guidance of Jonathan Hale and the Galveston project team of Craig Marston and Erik Stramblad.
SEACOSCO ‘AMAZON’ Stimulation Package
Gulf Copper Galveston shipyard completes the installation of the ‘Stimulation Package’ which includes electrical support, and piping system integrations for Schlumberger on the SEACOSCO Amazon vessel that will be supporting the Exxon Mobil project in Guyana.
The project took approximately 6 weeks alongside at our Galveston facility and encompassed around 20 personnel dedicated to the project round the clock.
Seadrill Westvela Installation
GC Energy Services group (GCES) was contracted by Seadrill to perform the installation of the West Vela second BOP HPU.
The Project was performed in two phases:
- Phase I involved cutting two access openings in HPU room to rig in the High Pressure Unit and the Accumulator bottles. These access openings were then reinstalled by the GCES Team.
- Phase II consisted of installing stainless steel piping rated for 6000 psi using a tig welding method and stainless steel tubing. GCES also performed the internal passivation of the stainless piping for further corrosive protection of the system.
All work was performed safely and with good planning, resulting in on-budget installation.
Read more about Gulf Copper’s onshore energy services.
Transocean Polar Pioneer
The scope included the removal of six (6) existing Panama chocks on the pontoons and installation of six (6) new Panama chocks which were fabricated by Gulf Copper and Manufacturing in their Port Arthur, Texas facility.
Gulf Copper also performed the removal of 84 sea fasteners which had been welded to the underneath bottom plating of the pontoons for the heavy lift transit from SE Asia to Washington State.
The work was performed in the ports of Port Angeles and Seattle, Washington. A smaller team remained onboard to perform various tasks in preparation for the upcoming drilling season in the Chukchi Sea.
