(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) — After sustaining extensive damage in a December 2024 fire, the tugboat Lucinda Smith has returned to the water with a fresh start powered by Mitsubishi S12R-Y3MPTAW-3 Tier 3 engines, each rated at 1,260 hp at 1.600 rpm. The repower was completed by Windward Power with support from Laborde Products, giving the rebuilt vessel renewed strength and reliability for its work on the East Coast.
Built in 1975 for the U.S. Navy as YTB-140, Lucinda Smith has sailed under multiple owners and through several repowers across the country. That long history nearly came to an end with the New Bedford fire, but operator Robert B. Our Co. chose to invest in a full rebuild, with Mitsubishi power at the center of the comeback.
“The fire was a setback, but it didn’t change the value of this vessel,” said Gary Eleniefsky, vice president of Windward Power. “By repowering with Mitsubishi, we knew the Lucinda Smith would return stronger. Laborde’s team was there with the support and pipeline to make sure this rebuild came together the right way.”
For Laborde Products, the Lucinda Smith project represents both resilience and partnership.
“Seeing a vessel come back after something like this is rewarding,” said Brian Laborde, president and CEO of Laborde Products. “Our role was to stand alongside Robert B. Our Co. and Windward Power to deliver engines and support that extend the Lucinda Smith’s story, not end it. That’s the type of work that keeps us motivated.”
The decision to move forward with Mitsubishi was also about confidence in uptime and service. Lucinda Smith’s return adds a new chapter to its nearly 50-year history, underscoring the durability of steel-hulled tugs and the value of dependable partnerships. With its rebuild complete and new Mitsubishi power at the core, the tug is back to work in New England waters.
– Laborde Products
