What is a Crew Boat?
Crew boats are vessels used to transport personnel and various cargo to and from larger vessels, offshore oil platforms, drilling rigs, and dive ships. Other names for crew boats are “fast support vessels” or “fast supply vessels.” The boats working on inland waters (e.g., sounds and bays) are usually smaller 30- to 60-foot vessels. The larger vessels that travel to offshore platforms or ships are usually around 200 feet and travel up to 200 miles offshore.
The maximum number of passengers that crew boats can transport varies. Offshore crew boats tend to carry between 50 and 100 passengers as well as the boat’s crew. Passengers are usually seated in airplane-style seats. The crew often lives onboard and therefore there are galleys (kitchens), dining areas, staterooms and heads (bathrooms) for the crew (passengers have fewer facilities and no overnight accommodations). Some of the newer fast supply vessels can hold 150 passengers, have airline business class style seating and satellite and internet connections. Crew boats may also carry cargo with the passengers. The amount of the cargo a crew boat can carry will depend on the size of the ship and whether the cargo is dry material or which type of liquid is to be transported (e.g., gas, oil, distilled water). Crew boats may also be pressed into service to conduct rescue operations.