Our Story

CONQUERING THE WATERS

SHALLOW DRAFT ELEVATING BOATS

The StoryThe year was 1982 and 2-D (two-dimensional) seismographic technology was the hot and newest technique being used to locate oil and gas. Geophysicists along with their drill rigs, geophones and computers were traversing both land and water in the petroleum belt to locate what lied beneath the Earth's surface. Typically, the offshore exploration using this technology would require chartering vessels, which were available and near the proximity of the work site. Often, this entailed the use of fishing type vessels, which were designed for the harvest of commercial fisheries. In South Louisiana, one such owner of this type of vessel was Ernie Geraci, (president-Shallow Draft Elevating Boats, Inc.) who's boat the Princess Amanda was well known by the seismic crews for its speed and handling. Ernie had designed and built this vessel which was by far one of the most advanced of its' type using hydraulics and technology to mechanize the harvesting process. Consequently, the Princess Amanda was constantly under charter by the seismic crews. One day while on a charter in Mobile Bay, the tides were running hard, the wind was blowing and performing the seismic drilling work in such conditions became unsafe and the work was halted. The weather was a huge determining factor in the area of productivity, as drilling work could only be performed when the vessel was held steady in calm seas. This type of interruption was occurring frequently and this prompted Ernie to start thinking of a vessel design suited for this type of drilling work. He discussed his ideas and new concept with the seismic crews who became excited and urged him to build the vessel. Without a contract or financial backing Ernie's entrepreneurial spirit kicked into high gear and he set about building the first prototype Shallow Draft Elevating Boat. His idea was to build a vessel that would be self propelled and provide a stable and safe platform over the water where crews could perform their drilling work regardless of the tides, wind and wave action. This design would minimize the downtime that the crews were experiencing. Shortly thereafter Ernie had completed construction of the vessel and it was put to the test. The seismic crews mounted their drilling units and went to work. They were amazed at the stability the new vessel provided and the speed with which it placed itself into position, no more anchors, moorings or lashings. Now they simply drove up to the location of the drill site and elevated the legs and got to work. The Shallow Draft Elevating Boat provided its' customers with a significant edge over their competition and geologist could have their drilling performed over the water safely with speed and accuracy. This new vessel quickly became the vessel of choice in the offshore seismograph work and is used all over the world today in that industry.  To this day, Ernie has spent the last 30 years improving the design of the vessel and incorporating modifications making the vessel even more productive. 

The Shallow Draft Elevating Boat is constructed of steel and has 3 elevating vertical legs, which elevate the hull out of the water eliminating effects of wind, waves and tides. Since it is self-propelled there is no need for costly tugboats or licensed captains and with its simplistic design practically anyone can operate it. The reliable Detroit Diesel engine provides for the self-propulsion as well as the on-board hydraulics used to elevate the hull. For those environmentally concerned, the hull includes a tunnel drive design leaving the water bottoms virtually undisturbed. Shallow water is not a problem any more, the vessel is designed to carry a deck load of 9,000 pounds and draw a total of 18 inches of water with full maneuverability. The legs provide the capability of elevating the hull out of water as deep as 45 feet to handle deeper River and channel applications. If the waterways to the job site are not navigable, then again the Shallow Draft Elevating Boat may be the answer. The vessel is launched from practically any location and is mobile in extremely shallow depths. "SHALLOW DRAFT DELIVERS" - Shallow Draft has designed the vessel to be transportable, delivered on a common flat bed trailer, it is shipped to your site, assembled and launched by the Shallow Draft Crew and made ready for you to go to work. Our customers have used man lifts, generators, excavators, cranes, drilling rigs, sand blasting and painting equipment on the deck of this workhorse.Ernie Geraci is presently designing several new hull types to provide greater and more varied capabilities, if your project requires adaptation,

Call SHALLOW DRAFT today.

Let Shallow Draft Elevating Boats be YOUR HIGHWAY ABOVE THE WATER. Contact us for additional information or free DVD. (504) 682-2100.



Ernest "Ernie" E. Geraci, Jr.

I developed the Shallow Draft Elevating Boat in response to the needs of the marine industry. Our customers had traditionally settled for what was available before the introduction of our products. Now they are using a vessel engineered for their needs and increasing bottom line profits

While I am proud of the success we are having with this vessel, I am equally anxious to design and incorporate the modifications you may need to suit your applications. Call us and let us show you how Shallow Draft Vessels can provide you with a competitive edge

We have been building and improving these vessels for over 35 years now, all of which are still in service here in the U.S. as well as abroad. I personally oversee the design and construction of each vessel we produce, from start to finish, in our advanced facility. Precise design and quality workmanship go into each vessel to insure a dependable product that is ready to go to work on delivery.

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What We Do?

Shallow Draft TAKES THE HASSLE OUT of your over the water projects!!!

• Captain and Insurance with each Charter

• Free consultations & Quotes

• Over 35 years of Award-winning service

• Satisfaction guarantee

• Only highway truckable Jack up in the world! 

• Seismic - Drilling 

• Oil & Gas 



OUR VESSELS

• 40 CLASS

• 50 CLASS

• 70 CLASS

• CREW BOAT

• WORK BOAT