U. S. Department of Commerce, National Data Buoy Center, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000

V -- CHARTER OF COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSEL(S) SOL Vessel Market Research DUE 111599 POC Penny S. Parker, Contracting Officer, (228) 688-1705 and fax (228) 688-3153. WEB: The buoy locations are available on this web site., http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/. E-MAIL: Requests for information may be sent by fax or e-mail, Penny.Parker@ndbc.noaa.gov. The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC)is seeking charter information from Offshore Supply Vessels. The vessel would be used to transport NDBC weather buoys from the dock to the deployment location and return. In addition to the buoys the vessel must accomodate 3 NDBC personnel. NDBC is seeking to locate vessels which meet the following specifications: Classification: Oceans U.S.C.G.; Dimensions (Length/Breath/Depth): 150' x 30' x 10' (Typical); Range: 3,000 miles; Towing: Stern Tow Capability; Accommodations: Three (3) NDBC Personnel; Electronics: DGPS Receiver (2), Fathometer, Satellite Phone, Radar, VHF-FM Radio, and UHF Radio. Cargo Tonnage: 50 Ton Deck; Working Deck: 50' x 20' (Minimum); Crane: 12 -- 15 Ton Deck. Additional equipment: Powered stern capstan, small boat, cargo securing equipment (rated), deck winches (2), pelican hooks for 1 1/2" chain (3), Oxygen/acetylene cutting outfit, welder, air compressor, VHS VCR. Vessel must have the capability to hoist 3 and 6 meter buoys on deck, and the ability to tow 6, 10 and 12 meter buoys to station. Deployment and exchange operations require heavy lifts at sea. Deep water mooring deployments require the small boat to be of sufficient hoursepower to tow the buoy (and synthetic moor) away from the servicing vessel. These services may be required in the future for buoys located off southern California, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Hawaii. For the current locations of the NDBC buoys interested parties should check the NDBC website www.ndbc.noaa.gov. On the web site click on the following maps: U.S. Southwest Regional Map, U. S. Northwest Regional Map, Alaskan Coastal Waters Regional Map, and the Hawaiian Coastal Waters Regional Map. The package available upon request contains a list of all buoy locations, drawings of moorings, and drawings with specifications of the 3-meter, 6-meter, 10-meter and 12-meter buoys. This information is for a market survey of availability of commercial vessels. Any future charter would be competed among the available vessels meeting these requirements. Interested parties are asked to supply rate information, home port, average availability, and information demonstrating the above stated requirement are met by the proposed vessel(s). Interested companies should contact Penny S. Parker, Contracting Officer, by faxing requests for additional information to (228) 688-3153. Posted 10/21/99 (W-SN393917). (0294)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0096 19991025\V-0006.SOL)