HORNBECK-LEEVAC Announces Delivery of BJ Blue Ray and Acquisition of Self-Propelled Tank Barge.

Business Editors

NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2001

HORNBECK-LEEVAC Marine Services, Inc. announced today that it has taken delivery of its first 265-ft. class deepwater offshore supply vessel, the BJ Blue Ray, which immediately commenced service under a 5-year time charter with BJ Services Company (NYSE:BJS) to support well stimulation services, primarily in the Gulf of Mexico. The Company has three additional 265-ft. class offshore supply vessels under construction for delivery in 2002.

Todd Hornbeck, the Company's President & COO, commented, "The BJ Blue Ray is our second vessel to be certified Dynamic Positioning Class II by the American Bureau of Shipping and the first U.S.-flagged OSV ever to be given a special Well Stimulation certificate by the ABS. We believe that our in-house engineering staff and the staff of our customer, BJ Services, have truly `raised the bar.' To quote BJ Services: `The BJ Blue Ray is the newest, most sophisticated stimulation vessel in the world.' The vessel will primarily serve the deepwater Gulf of Mexico."

In addition, the Company announced that it has purchased the M/V W. K. McWilliams, Jr. from Freeport-McMoRan Sulphur LLC for an undisclosed amount. The vessel, to be renamed the "Energy Service 9001," is a 402-ft. self-propelled unit built in 1992 and historically used by Freeport-McMoRan in the transportation of molten sulphur.

Christian Vaccari, the Company's Chairman and CEO, commented, "This relatively new vessel has been well maintained by Freeport and is in excellent condition. While we have numerous commercial opportunities for the vessel, we are currently evaluating the conversion of the vessel into a 90,000 barrel double-hull, clean petroleum product tanker at a cost well below new construction. This vessel would also address our need to replace one of our three single-skinned tank barges whose OPA 90 lives are due to expire in 2004."

HORNBECK-LEEVAC Marine Services, Inc. is a leading provider of marine transportation services through the operation of newly constructed deepwater offshore supply vessels in the Gulf of Mexico and ocean-going tugs and tank barges in the northeastern U.S. and in Puerto Rico.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including, in particular, statements about HORNBECK-LEEVAC's plans and intentions. These have been based on the Company's current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company can give no assurance that the expectations will prove to be correct.