St. John’s NL: At a ceremony held today at Pier 12 in St. John’s, Rosalind Sacuta officially christened Atlantic Towing’s new platform supply vessel the Paul A. Sacuta.

“This is a proud day for the dedicated team of over 230 men and women at Atlantic Towing in St. John’s. It marks the delivery of our first new platform supply vessel (PSV). The christening of a ship is a centuries-old tradition, and we are very honoured to have Ros Sacuta serve as the sponsor of the Paul A Sacuta - the newest and largest offshore vessel serving the Province’s oil and gas industry,” explained Wayne Power, vice president of Irving Transportation and Logistics Division.

"Paul A. Sacuta was an inspiring leader who was admired by everyone who worked with him,” says Mike Ryan, vice president with ExxonMobil Canada. “Paul’s career spanned 28 years with ExxonMobil Canada, during which time he served as the President of Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. (HMDC). The Paul A. Sacuta is Atlantic Towing’s newest state-of-the-art Platform Supply Vessel and worthy of his name. We are very proud the vessel will be supporting the Hibernia platform.”

Rosalind Sacuta, Paul's widow, says he was a loving and dedicated husband, and father to Courtney, Nikki, and Jason. “His career with ExxonMobil and time as President of HMDC were very important to him,” said Mrs. Sacuta. “Paul became aware of the company's plan to name a vessel for him when his co-workers brought a drawing of the vessel to show him. He was very moved by this gesture and realized the legacy it would create in his name,” she said.

“We miss Paul dearly. But we share often our prolific memories of his strength, his intelligence, and especially his great humour! We are so pleased and honoured that this state-of -the-art vessel will keep Paul's legacy alive offshore,” Sacuta said.

Left to right: Wayne Power, JDI VP Transportation & Logistics; Father Jerome Hann; Andrew Barry, ExxonMobil; Mayor Dennis O'Keefe; Siobhan Coady, Natural Resources Minister; Jennifer Walck, President HDMC; Carman Mullins, President ExxonMobil Canada; Premier Dwight Ball; Jim Irving, Co CEO J.D. Irving, Limited; Mike Ryan, ExxonMobil; Rosalind Sacuta; Nikki Sacuta; Courtney Sacuta; Jason Sacuta

The arrival of the Paul A. Sacuta in its home port of St. John’s is creating 32 new crew jobs. This ship also fulfills today’s highest environmental standards with both “Clean Design” and “Green Passport” international certifications. Coupled with its’ advanced navigation systems, high ice strengthening, and large cargo capacity, the Paul A. Sacuta provides the best offshore support capability for Newfoundland and Labrador today and into the future.

“It is fitting that this new vessel is named after an industry leader who made such a significant contribution to Newfoundland and Labrador’s oil and gas industry,” said the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. “I congratulate Atlantic Towing and ExxonMobil for their roles in the development of our resource-rich waters, and the new jobs this ship is creating. I look forward to their continued success.”‎

“It is 16 years since Atlantic Towing began serving the province’s offshore oil and gas industry. We are proud to be part of this Newfoundland and Labrador success story, serving great customers like ExxonMobil Canada and Hibernia Management & Development Company Ltd with high performance ships. During that time we have grown our fleet and good paying jobs right here in our home port,” said Jim Irving, Co-Chief Executive Officer of J.D. Irving, Limited.

The new ship will serve as part of a ten (10)-year firm contract, plus a total of 15 years of options at the Charterers’ discretion, with ExxonMobil Canada Properties and Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. (HMDC) for four new state-of-the-art Platform Supply Vessels (PSV) operating out of St John’s, NL.

"This exceptional contract - the largest in our company’s history - will increase our fleet size, our workforce and our overall contribution to the economy in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Wayne Power, Vice President of Transportation and Logistics for J.D. Irving, Limited. 

The J.D. Irving, Limited organization has been doing business in Newfoundland and Labrador for over 60 years. Today the company directly employs over 840 people in diverse operations (trucking, construction, engineering, retail and offshore marine services) across the Province.

Atlantic Towing operates the largest working fleet of offshore supply vessels in Canada. The company’s operations in Newfoundland and Labrador generate over 420 jobs (direct and indirect FTEs). Over 100 suppliers from Newfoundland and Labrador provide goods and services to Atlantic Towing’s operations in the province. The Paul A. Sacuta will proceed immediately to work following today’s event supporting development and production operations by ExxonMobil. 

As part of today’s ceremony, a $10,000 donation was made to The Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (ASNL). ASNL is a provincial charitable organization dedicated to promoting the development of individual, lifelong, and community-based supports and services for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their families, and caregivers.

"We at ASNL positively impact those affected by autism. But there are individuals who have a huge impact on the Autism Society itself, and upon those who do our important work," said Scott Crocker, Executive Director of ASNL. "Today, I am deeply moved by the generosity of Atlantic Towing and kindness of the Sacuta family. The tremendous support given to this organization by Paul, when he was with us; and the support which Ros continues to give, is changing lives for the better." 

-30-
CONTACTS:
Mary Keith
Vice President Communications 
Atlantic Towing
Office (506) 632-5122
Cell (506) 650-8209 


Margot Bruce-O’Connell
Manager, Public & Government Affairs 
ExxonMobil Canada and providing services to Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd.
Office (709) 778-7222
Cell (709) 746-8383

Atlantic Towing’s Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) Paul A. Sacuta
Accommodations: 50 Persons
Length: 91m
Breadth: 22m
Clear Deck Area: 940m2
Crane: 100 ton Knuckle Boom Offshore Crane
Bollard Pull: 112 ton