Offshore staff
HOUSTON -- Versabar president Jon Khachaturian has been awarded the 2008 NOVA award for his breakthrough deck salvage system.
Khachaturian was one of five 2008 winners selected from a pool of 40 nominees. Presented by the Construction Innovation Forum, the NOVA awards are intended to "recognize innovations that have proven to be significant advances that have had positive, important effects on construction to improve quality and reduce cost."
Known as the Bottom Feeder, the 4,000-ton (3,629-metric-ton) capacity salvage system was designed by Khachaturian following hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, and Rita which toppled over 120 production platforms to the Gulf of Mexico sea floor. In two summer campaigns, the system has retrieved 14 of these topsides and other debris totaling over 21,000 tons (19,051 metric tons).
"This is really a company award," says Khachaturian. "At Versabar we are fortunate to have the kind of people who can convert a random sketch on a napkin into a working reality. I'm happy to accept it on their behalf."
11/18/2008
