The following is the text of a news release from VT Halter Marine:
(PASCAGOULA, Miss.) — VT Halter Marine Inc., a company of Vision Technologies Systems Inc., has announced the delivery of the M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr., the first of the two 6,000-hp twin-screw ATB tugs, to Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc..
Measuring 130 feet by 38 feet by 22 feet, M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. is classed by ABS as A1 Ocean Towing, Dual Mode ATB, USCG Subchapter C and is equipped with an Intercon coupler system. M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. was launched on Oct. 29, 2015 at the Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Miss. Both M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. and M/V Frederick E. Bouchard, the second ATB tug, are part of a two-vessel contract awarded to VT Halter Marine in August 2014. M/V Frederick E. Bouchard is being constructed at VT Halter Marine’s Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, with delivery expected in June 2016. Both vessels will enter into Bouchard Transportation’s fleet service in New York, N.Y.
“Bouchard is very pleased to take another successful delivery from VT Halter Marine, with the delivery of the tug M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr.," said Morton S. Bouchard III, president and CEO, Bouchard Transportation. "This delivery has special meaning to both VT Halter Marine and Bouchard, as the second tug that Bouchard ever built with Halter Marine back in 1972 was the original tug Morton Bouchard Jr. (renamed the Bouchard Boys). I would also like to thank all of the employees of VT Halter Marine for all of their hard work in constructing a first-class tug that meets Bouchard standards. Bouchard looks forward to the delivery of the M/V Donna J. Bouchard and barge B. No. 272 from VT Halter in two weeks and the M/V Fredrick E. Bouchard in June 2016."
“The close working relationship between VT Halter Marine and Bouchard Transportation culminated in the delivery of this fine tug, the M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr.," said Jack Prendergast, CEO, VT Halter Marine. "VT Halter Marine is extraordinarily proud of the long-standing relationship with Bouchard Transportation, and we are pleased to deliver this tug that has such special meaning to Bouchard. We look forward to celebrating the delivery of the M/V Donna J. Bouchard and barge B. No. 272 in two weeks as well as the M/V Frederick E. Bouchard in June 2016."
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 oceangoing vessels such as patrol vessels, oil recovery vessels, oil cargo vessels, ferries, logistic support vessels and survey vessels. For more information, visit www.vthaltermarine.com.
