The following is the text of a news release from Horizon Shipbuilding:
(BAYOU LA BATRE, Ala.) — Horizon Shipbuilding Inc. has delivered M/V A.B. York, a 120-foot towboat, to its longtime customer Florida Marine Transporters (FMT). This is the 19th vessel delivered to FMT by Horizon and the ninth 120-foot towboat.
M/V A.B. York, designed by John Gilbert, is a 120-by-35-by-10-foot towboat that is four-decked and is outfitted for service in areas restricted to overhead clearances and draft limitations. It is powered by two 2,000-hp 3512C Caterpillar engines, provided by Louisiana Machinery, that are coupled to Twin Disc MG5600 reduction gears with a 5.04:1 ratio, supplied by Sewart Supply. They turn 100-inch five-blade, stainless-steel wheels made by Sound Propeller, on 10-inch shafts. Auxiliary power is supplied by two 175-kw Caterpillar C9 generators. M/V A.B. York is an open-wheel boat that holds 58,000 gallons of fuel.
Horizon utilized Gordhead management software to ensure A.B. York remained on schedule and on budget. This software has reduced production man-hours and shortened delivery schedules, enabling Horizon to become more competitive.
An additional 120-foot retractable pilothouse towboat for FMT is in production at Horizon’s shipyard, with delivery scheduled for the spring of 2017. The delivery of this vessel will bring the total number of FMT towboat deliveries by Horizon to 20 and the total vessels delivered to FMT by Horizon to 30.
