(MOBILE, Ala.) — Master Boat Builders has executed a contract to build a new tugboat in its Coden, Ala., yard for Bay Houston Towing Co. of Houston, Texas. Master Boat Builders currently has three tugs under construction of a different design for Bay Houston.
“Bay Houston has an incredible reputation as one of the top tugboat operators in the entire country and we are thrilled to continue working with them on a fourth tugboat,” said Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders. “We are humbled that Bay Houston has recognized the top quality of our employees and is seeking to continue working together to continue enhancing their impressive fleet of tugboats.”
Naval architect and marine engineering firm Robert Allan Ltd. designed the tugboat, which will meet U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter M regulations and will be classed through the American Bureau of Shipping.
The tugboat will have an overall length of 98 feet 6 inches, beam of 42 feet 5 inches, and produce a bollard pull of over 80 metric tonnes. The vessel will feature two Caterpillar 3516E main engines, each EPA Tier 4 certified and producing 3,500 hp, along with two Schottel SRP 510FP z-drive thrusters and a Markey Machinery DEPCF-48-100 bow winch.
– Master Boat Builders