Cable service boat makes deep water debut.

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* A 29-foot, open water cable service boat has been built by Aluminum Chambered Boats Inc. of Bellingham, Wash., for CGG Veritas, and international geophysical company.

The craft is designed to support its 210-foot mother ship in the deployment and retrieval of ocean towed seismic cable,

"It has the capability to tow a complete seismic cable, which can measure up to 10 miles long, and keep pace with the her mother vessel. Along with the seismic equipment maintenance responsibilities the boat will perform ship-to-ship crew/store transfers, intercept shipping coming too close to the towed equipment, and recover dislodged equipment," says a spokesman.

It is powered by twin 4.2L Cummins QSD engines and Ultra Jet 305HT. The boat is capable of a static bollard pun of 2.8 tons and can reach speeds of 32 knots when loaded with 2,000 pounds and four crew members.