Hornbeck also announced today that it has contracted the 265-ft. class HOS Brimstone, currently scheduled for delivery in early June 2002, to one of its existing customers. Upon delivery, the vessel will immediately commence service under a one-year time charter, with two one-year renewal options, with a large international exploration and production company. The Company has had two of its other offshore supply vessels supporting this customer's deepwater exploratory drilling activities in the Gulf of Mexico since April 2000.

Todd Hornbeck, President and CEO, stated, "While we designed our 240-ft. class and 265-ft. class vessels primarily for deepwater drilling applications, all of our last three delivered newbuilds have gone into specialty work. With the contract of the HOS Brimstone, we will now be able to demonstrate the special capabilities that, we believe, make our 265-ft. class design uniquely suited for ultra-deepwater drilling support."