The following is text of a news release from Conrad Shipyard:
(MORGAN CITY, La.) — Conrad Shipyard christened the oceangoing tug Kapena Bob Purdy for Young Brothers Ltd. of Honolulu, Hawaii, a subsidiary of Foss Maritime Co., on May 4. The ceremony was held at Conrad Amelia in Amelia, La.
Gary Lipely, Conrad director of sales and marketing, serving as master of ceremonies, introduced Joseph Boivin of Young Brothers, Will Roberts of Foss Maritime, and Julia MacDonald, ship’s sponsor. The Rev. Clyde Mahler of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Morgan City conducted the christening.
Kapena means captain in Hawaiian, and Kapena Bob Purdy is the fourth in a series of Conrad-built tugs, all named for legendary captains in Young Brothers’ storied 100-year history of operation.
“This beautiful tug is a testament to the hard work of what we believe to be among the industry’s finest shipbuilding teams," said Conrad Senior Vice President Dan Conrad. "She is validation of our founding principles of safety, quality, craftsmanship, integrity and service, and she is a perfect example of our founder and my grandfather’s advice to ‘only build vessels worthy of bearing the Conrad name.'"
Kapena Bob Purdy is scheduled for sea trials by month’s end and will be delivered to Young Brothers immediately thereafter.
