The following is the text of a news release from VT Halter Marine Inc.:
(PASCAGOULA, Miss.) (Feb. 11) — VT Halter Marine Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today launched the oceangoing 112-foot Articulated Tug Barge (ATB), Denise A. Bouchard.
Measuring 112 feet by 35 feet by 17 feet, the 4,000-hp tug is classed by ABS as A1 Towing Vessel, Dual Mode, and is equipped with an Intercon Coupler System. Construction of the vessel began in March 2013, and the keel was laid in May 2013 at VT Halter Marine’s Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Miss. Upon delivery, the ATB Tug will be paired with Barge B. No. 284 and enter into Bouchard Transportation's fleet service in New York, N.Y.
“VT Halter Marine is proud to share the launch of the oceangoing ATB Denise A. Bouchard with our long-standing customer, the Bouchard Family. We look forward to a continued, strong partnership for many years to come,” said Bill Skinner, Chief Executive Officer, VT Halter Marine.
VT Halter Marine is the marine operations of VT Systems. Based in Pascagoula, Miss., it is a leader in the design and construction of medium-sized ships in the United States. VT Halter Marine designs, builds and repairs a wide variety of ocean-going vessels such as patrol vessels, oil recovery vessels, oil cargo vessels, ferries, logistic support vessels and survey vessels.
VT Systems is an engineering company providing integrated solutions to the commercial and government markets in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors. VT Systems’ innovative solutions, products and services include aircraft maintenance, repair and modification; software solutions in training and simulation; satellite-based IP communications technology; network solutions that integrate data, voice and video; rugged computers and computer peripheral equipment; specialized truck bodies and trailers; weapons and munitions systems; road construction equipment; and ship design and shipbuilding. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., VT Systems operates globally and is a wholly owned subsidiary of ST Engineering.