Liftboats are specifically designed to operate in relatively shallow water.  They are characterized by three elevating legs that may be up to 260’ long and a large work area that can hold up to 300 tons of oilfield service equipment and up to three cranes.  With the legs lowered and the hull lifted from the water, the vessel becomes a stable platform for a wide variety of jobs, from maintenance on oil and gas production platforms to laying underwater pipelines.  Liftboats may also house up to 40 workers.