The following is text of a news release issued by Bisso Towboat Co.:
LULING, La. — Bisso Towboat Co. is pleased to announce the delivery of its newest ship-assist tug, the 4,480-hp ASD tractor tug Liz Healy. The Liz Healy is the final tug in a series of three identical 4,480-hp vessels built by Main Iron Works of Houma, La. for Bisso Towboat in the last three years.
The 100-foot by 38-foot by 13.5-foot Liz Healy is powered by two Caterpillar 3156C engines generating 2,240-hp each at 1,600 rpm, which drive two Rolls Royce US205FP Z-drives. The drives feature 90.6-inch diameter by 82.4-inch pitch stainless steel propellers in stainless steel nozzles. Bollard pull is estimated at 60 tons.
Electrical service is provided by two 99-kW Marathon generators powered by two John Deere 4045AFM85 engines. The tug is equipped with a JonRie Series 230 hydraulic bow winch carrying 500 feet of eight-inch Amsteel Blue line.
Other features include USCG-approved engine room monitoring and fire/smoke alarm systems, Simrad navigation/electronics, soundproof insulation throughout the engine room and crew quarters, stainless steel bits and bow staple and four bunk rooms with seven berths.
Tankage includes capacities for 30,163 gallons of diesel fuel, 1,826 gallons of lube oil and hydraulic oils. The vessel also can carry about 11,000 gallons of potable water.
The Liz Healy will have a crew complement of four and carries an ABS International Loadline in addition to being ISM Certified by ABS and USCG Inspected/Certified.
The Liz Healy is the seventh ASD tractor tug built for Bisso by Main Iron Works and the 11th new tug Main has built for Bisso in the last 25 years.
The addition of the Liz Healy brings the total number of tugs in the Bisso fleet to 12 and continues Bisso's leadership of the Mississippi River ship-assist trade with the largest fleet of ASD tractor tugs on the Mississippi River.
