I was referring to vessels that looks somewhat like these: http://www.subsea7.com/en/media-centre/datasheets/vessel-datasheets.html
How many US-flag vessels are there with comparable capabilities as the majority of these vessels?
As said earlier; to compete you have to have the vessels, equipment and capabilities, which requires the ability and will to develop the technology, which again requires the support of the Government in terms of funds for R&D.
The company operating these vessels are active all over the world, with one of their main operating bases in Houston Tx.: http://www.subsea7.com/en/about-us/where-we-operate.html
I don’t know how many of their vessel that is presently operating in GOM, but maybe somebody else on this forum knows?
It is not the only foreign company that operate this type vessels there, some of them US Construction Companies with foreign flag vessels in their fleet. (McDermott, Helix, Oceneering etc.) Many of them owned by companies right here in my new hometown, Aalesund, Norway. Others in my former hometown, Singapore.
I must again point out that foreign flag and foreign crew doesn’t always mean lower operating costs. Some of these vessels are NOR flagged, with full Marine crew on Norwegian wages and conditions. It is defiantly not cheaper then to use US crew on day rate.
PS> The Construction Crew, Technicians, Admin. personnel and 3rd Party personnel etc. may be US or other nationalities.