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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We have issued our report dated November 8, 1997, accompanying the
consolidated financial statements of First Wave Marine, Inc. and Subsidiaries,
and our report dated November 8, 1997, accompanying the consolidated financial
statements of John Bludworth Marine, Inc. and Subsidiary contained in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus. We consent to the use of the
aforementioned reports in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and to the
use of our name as it appears under the caption "Experts".
 
GRANT THORNTON LLP
 
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
 
Houston, Texas
   
January 26, 1998