Conrad lays keels for Young Brothers tugs

The following is the text of a news release from Conrad Shipyard:

(MORGAN CITY, La.) — Conrad Shipyard held the keel-laying ceremony for the four Damen Stan 3711 Kapena-class tugs now under construction for Young Brothers Ltd. of Hawaii. On hand for the ceremony was Glenn Hong, president of Young Brothers Ltd; Jonathan Parrott, president of Foss Marine, Young Brothers’ sister company; and Tim Engle and Mark Tabbutt with Saltchuk, the parent company of both.

Also attending and delivering remarks was Kommer Damen, chairman and CEO of Damen Shipyard, and Jim Watson, president of ABS Americas. A number of local officials were also present, including Morgan City Mayor Frank P. Grizzaffi III, Port Director Mac Wade and Councilman Lou Tamporello. Dan Conrad, senior vice president Conrad Shipyard, served as moderator. The Morgan City High School Band, under the direction of band leader Michael Swiber, presented the colors, and Monsignor Doug Courville delivered the Invocation.

Young Brothers, based in Honolulu, is Hawaii’s largest interisland transportation company. Hong explained that the word Kaapena means captain in Hawaiian and each of the four vessels is to be named after a legendary tug captain from Young Brothers’ 115-year history.

Damen said that Damen Shipyards is looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Conrad and Young Brothers, and Jim Watson of ABS stated that the partnership was a perfect match for a U.S.-built, U.S.-crewed and U.S.-flagged vessel.

By Professional Mariner Staff