Horizon Offshore tows fire-damaged barge back to U.S.

Horizon Offshore tows fire-damaged barge back to U.S.       Horizon Offshore Contractors Inc., a Houston-based provider of marine services to the offshore oil and gas industry, is towing its fire-damaged barge “LB Gulf Horizon” back to the United States.
   A fire broke out on the barge last week 400 miles east of the coast of Georgia, while the barge was being towed across the Atlantic to perform work for the Israel Electric Corp. Ltd.
   “The origin and cause of the fire remain unknown. Although the fire appears to have extinguished itself and the barge remains afloat, it will not enter port or be boarded until qualified personnel determine the safety of conditions on board,” Horizon Offshore said in a statement.
   The towboat pulling the barge at the time of the fire returned home with all personnel from the barge this past weekend.
   “It may be some time before we know the extent of the property damage … but we know without a doubt that the crew’s rapid, textbook response allowed all of the personnel on board to be safely evacuated and the barge to be recovered afloat,” said Bill Lam, president and chief executive officer of Horizon Offshore.