MEROPA 900

Double-Hull Oil Barge

Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. was contracted by Tisbury Towing & Transport, Inc. to convert the MEROPA 900 from a 5,000 BBL single skin tank barge to a 3,500 BBL double hull tank barge. The MEROPA 900 was built in 1991 and was originally classed by ABS as an A1 Oil Tank Barge for ocean service. The barge had dropped class and was operating out of lakes, bays and sounds. Since the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 requires that all tank barges be regulated by Subchapter D be double hulled starting in January of 2015, the MEROPA 900 was taken out of service. All drawings were reviewed and approved by the Marine Safety Center and the tanks were designed to fit inside the hull so to keep its original dimensions. The barge can now transport 3,500 BBL of product and has been approved to carry Subchapter D Grade A and below products on lakes, bays and sounds. All piping and vales are located above deck and the barge is equipped with a vapor control system.

Dimensions: 130’ x 33 x 11’
Total Capacity: 3,500 BBL
Number of Tanks: 8
Cargo: Grade “A” and below products
Designer: Bristol Harbor Group, Inc.
Builder: Fairhaven Shipyard, Inc., Fairhaven, MA
Owner: Tisbury Towing & Transport, Inc., Tisbury, MA