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14 MTR April 2006 news Small Yard, Big Boat The Bayou Country of Louisiana has a reputation as a place where great boats are built in small yards. When Richard Adams Sr. opened his Lockport Fabrication yard on the bank of Bayou Lafourche at Lockport in 1979 he became a part of that tradition. Now, at 72 years of age, he comes in every day to work with his son Richard "Dickie" Adams Jr. Over the years the two men have launched a lot of boats from their yard. Recently, when they launched the supply vessel Bertha D stern first, her166- ft. length nearly reached to the opposite bank of the bayou. Designed by naval architect Frank Basil of Houma, La., for Supreme Services also of Houma, the boat has a 36-ft. beam and a 14-ft. molded depth. The hull is fabricated from .75 and .5-in. steel plate. Contained in the hull is tankage for 2,500 barrels of liquid mud, 33,000 gallons of methanol, 60,000 gallons of fuel, 20,000 gallons of potable water and 800 gallons of lube oil. Seven ballast tanks have a capacity for a total of 38,000 gallons. Propulsion for the Berth D is provided by a pair of Cummins KTA38 M0 main engines each generating 850 hp at 1,800 rpm. The mains turn 70-in. four blade Dickie Adams showing the 30-inch moon pool. MTR#3 (1-16).qxd 4/7/2006 11:17 AM Page 16
