(FAIRPORT, N.Y.) — The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and New York State Canal Corp. on Monday announced the christening of the newest addition to the corporation’s marine fleet, the tugboat Thomas X. Grasso.
This significant investment marks the first major enhancement of the corporation’s maintenance fleet in decades and is named in honor of the late Tom Grasso, longtime president of the Canal Society of New York State, who passed away in 2022. The christening ceremony occurred along the Erie Canal in Fairport, with Grasso’s family and friends in attendance.
“Tom Grasso’s vision and commitment to the New York State Canal System have left an indelible mark on our waterways,” said Bea Gonzalez, NYPA and canal corporation trustee and Syracuse area canal recreationist. “The christening of the Thomas X. Grasso tugboat is a fitting tribute to his life’s work and the enduring impact he made on our community. We are proud to honor his legacy with this new addition to our fleet.”
The tugboat represents a milestone in the modernization of the canal corporation’s operations, enhancing its capacity to support maintenance and operations across the historic 524-mile New York State Canal System. Grasso’s legacy and dedication to preserving and promoting the canal system as the president of the canal society for more than 40 years will be commemorated through this vessel, ensuring his contributions are remembered for generations to come.
“This tugboat represents not only a significant investment in our marine fleet but also a celebration of Tom Grasso’s passion for the canals,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll. “His leadership and dedication have inspired many, and this vessel will continue to support the vital work of the canal corporation for years to come. We are honored to name this tugboat after him.”
Staffed by canal corporation tugboat captains and floating plant personnel, the tugboat will be stationed on the Erie Canal in Waterford, N.Y. The new steel inland tug, at 64.5 feet long, will support operations required to maintain navigation along the canal system. Some of this work includes buoy placement and retrieval, movement of spoils in hopper scows, transporting of dredge pipe, and mobilizing hydraulic and mechanical dredge units. In addition, the new tug has icebreaking capabilities built in with thicker steel and tighter-spaced framing in the bow.
The tugboat was built by Blount Boats of Warren, R.I. Three additional tugs now in production at Blount’s facility are scheduled to be delivered in 2026 and 2027. These new tugs will be placed into service alongside Syracuse, a 1934 tugboat built by the state of New York that has been the workhorse of the canal corporation’s maintenance fleet since its launch.
In addition to the tugboat christening Monday, Grasso’s family and friends unveiled a new monument and pocket park named in his honor along the Erie Canal in Fairport. The new park features a structure built with stones from an earlier generation of the Erie Canal as well as new landscaping and benches.
– New York State Canal Corp.
