Eastern Shipbuilding delivers new tug to Florida Marine Transporters

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The following is the text of a news release from Eastern Shipbuilding Group:

(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) — Eastern Shipbuilding Group Inc. is pleased to announce the delivery of the M/V James Dale Robin (Hull 187) to Florida Marine Transporters Inc. of Mandeville, La. On Thursday, May 1, the 57th inland towboat constructed by Eastern Shipbuilding was delivered to Florida Marine.

In 2013, Florida Marine Transporters exercised more options for five additional 90-by-32-by-10-foot inland towboats. In February 2014, the first of the five option towboats, the M/V Capt. Troy J. Hotard, the 56th towboat built by Eastern, was delivered to Florida Marine. This ongoing series of towboats originally began with a 25-vessel contract with on-time deliveries starting in 2006. It has expanded to become the largest single towboat build contract in history. The additional five-vessel contract is being constructed from the design furnished by Gilbert Associates Inc. of Boston.

These five vessels will be the first in the series with EPA Tier 3 main propulsion engines and generators delivered to Florida Marine. The vessel is powered by two Caterpillar 3512C Tier 3 diesel engines rated at 1,500 hp at 1,600 rpm provided by Louisiana Power Systems. The reduction gears are direct coupled Twin-Disc Model MG-5600 with a 6.04:1 reduction supplied by Stewart Supply Inc. of Harvey, La. Electrical power is provided by two 99kW John Deere 4045AFM85 99 kW Tier 3 generator sets rated for 60 Hz, at 208 VAC provided by Kennedy Engine Co. of Biloxi, Miss. These diesel engines comply with the current EPA Tier 3/MARPOL control of emissions of nitrogen oxides from marine diesel engines.

Florida Marine Transporters began 14 years ago with the vision of Dennis Pasentine, FMT’s CEO, to achieve excellence in the maritime industry. Together with committed shipmates and a strong work ethic, Florida Marine has developed into one of the largest inland marine companies. Florida Marine proudly serves its customers with one of the youngest towboat and tank barge fleets in the industry, shipping a variety of cargoes such as petrochemicals, chemicals, LPG, crude oil, agricultural liquids and dry cargo.

Through the efforts of its experienced leadership team, and dedicated vessel and shoreside employees, Florida Marine operates in a safe, environmentally sound and efficient manner. Eastern Shipbuilding Group has two shipbuilding facilities in Panama City, Fla., and has been in business since 1976, constructing new, converting and repairing vessels in steel and aluminum of all types including offshore tugs, harbor tugs, barges, ATBs, diesel electric supply vessels, research vessels, firefighting vessels, barges, ferries, passenger vessels, fishing vessels and towboats for both the commercial and government marine markets.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group continues to remain a diversified shipbuilder with on-budget and on-time deliveries. These new towboats will maintain Eastern Shipbuilding’s role as one of the largest manufacturers of inland towboats in the United States.

By Professional Mariner Staff