Supply Vessel (Offshore)

A general term for the support ships that service offshore installations, used interchangeably with offshore supply vessel; in narrower usage it points to the platform supply vessel (PSV), the deck-cargo and bulk-tank carrier that ferries supplies to rigs and platforms. PSVs have a long open aft deck for pipe and containers, below-deck tanks for fuel, water, drilling mud, brine, and cement, and dynamic positioning for station-keeping alongside an installation. They are one branch of the OSV family alongside anchor-handlers and multipurpose vessels.