These have been some lean years for a lot of American shipbuilders. But yards that kept the lights on, and their workforce intact, are benefiting from an apparent rebound in new tugboat and towboat construction.
Naval architects are often quick to point out that U.S. tugboat operators trail their European and Asian counterparts when it comes to adopting new technology.
Capt. Mike Harbarth steered Delta Teresa away from San Francisco’s Pier 17 and headed east.
Baydelta Maritime has a tradition of naming its tugboats after its owners’ wives and daughters.
Owner/operator: Baydelta Maritime Builder: Nichols Brothers Boat Builders Designer: Jensen Maritime Consultants Dimensions: 100’ x 40’ x 19’ Mission: Ship escort and assist Crew size: 4 Propulsion: Engines: (2) Tier 3 Cat 3516, 2,650 hp; (2) Marelli…
Harbor Docking & Towing Capt. Scott Lantier eased Ralph off Washburn & Doughty’s dock and steered south in the Damariscotta River.
Owner/operator: Harbor Docking & Towing Builder: Washburn & Doughty Designer: Washburn & Doughty Dimensions: 93’ x 38’ x 15.5’ Mission: Ship docking and assist Crew size: 4-6 Propulsion: Engines: (2) Tier 4 Cat 3512E, 2,550 hp Electric motors:…
Shaver Transportation has added a brawny new tugboat capable of handling just about any work that comes its way.
Owner/operator: Shaver Transportation Co. Builder: Diversified Marine Designer: Jensen Maritime Consultants Dimensions: 112’ x 44’ x 20’ Mission: Ship assist, escort and rescue towing Crew size: 4-6 Propulsion: Engines: (2) Tier 4 GE 12V250, 4,216 hp Bollard pull:…
Containerships and tankers calling U.S. ports are getting bigger.
Operator: G&H Towing Co. Owner: Bay-Houston Towing Co. Builder: Gulf Island Shipyards Designer: Robert Allan Ltd. Dimensions: 98’6” x 42’8” x 16’8” Mission: Escort and harbor assist Propulsion: Engines: (2) Tier 4 Cat 3516E, 3,386 hp Bollard pull:…
Modern tugboats are increasingly designed and outfitted to perform multiple jobs, from barge shifting to ship escorting and docking to rescue towing.
Operator: Moran Towing Co. Builder: Washburn & Doughty Designer: Washburn & Doughty Dimensions: 93’ x 38’ x 16.5’ Mission: Ship docking and escort Crew size: 4; berthing for 6 Propulsion: Engines: (2) Tier 4 Caterpillar 3516E, 3,386 hp…
The Great Lakes Towing Co. operates some of the oldest harbor tugboats in the country, thanks largely to its presence in freshwater ports.
Owner/operator: Great Lakes Towing Co. Builder: Great Lakes Shipyard Designer: Damen Shipyards Group Dimensions: 64’ x 24’ x 11’ Mission: Harbor work, ship assist, icebreaking Crew size: 2 Propulsion: Engines: (2) Tier 3 MTU 8V 4000, 1,000 hp…
When Sause Bros. President Dale Sause ordered a pair of 128-foot offshore tugs in 2018, he had complete confidence in the finished product.
Owner/operator: Sause Brothers Builder: Diversified Marine Designer: Sause Brothers Dimensions: 128’ x 35’ x 17.5’ Mission: Ocean towing Crew size: Berthing for 9 Propulsion: Engines: (2) Tier 3 MTU 16V 4000 M64, 2,000 hp Bollard pull: 65 tons…
Young Brothers began carrying cargo between the Hawaiian Islands long before they even became a state.
Owner/operator: Young Brothers Builder: Conrad Shipyard Designer: Damen Shipyards Group Dimensions: 123’2” x 36.5’ x 15’9” Mission: Ocean towing Crew size: 6 Propulsion: Engines: (2) Tier 4 GE 8L250 MDC, 3,017 hp Bollard pull: 80 metric tons (est.)…
McAllister Towing and Transportation Co. operates more than 50 tugboats across a dozen East Coast ports.
ROSEMARY MCALLISTER Owner/operator: McAllister Towing and Transportation Co. Builder: Horizon Shipbuilding Designer: Jensen Maritime Consultants Dimensions: 100’ x 40’ x 18’ Mission: Assist, escort and rescue Crew size: Up to 7 Propulsion: Engines: (2) Caterpillar 3516E Tier 4 diesels, 3,386…
Reinauer Transportation Co.’s two new articulated tug-barge (ATB) tugboats look much like their predecessors — at least until you reach the engine room.
Owner/operator: Reinauer Transportation Co. Builder: Senesco Marine Designer: Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Dimensions: 106’ x 32’ x 18’ Mission: Pushing petroleum/chemical barges Crew size: 7 Propulsion: Engines: (2) GE 6L250, 2,200 hp at 900 rpm Vessel speed:…
It’s relatively common these days for tugboat operators to order a new vessel based on proven designs used by other customers.
