(MOBILE, Ala.) — Master Boat Builders announced Monday that it will construct two new tugboats in its Coden, Ala., yard for Bay Houston Towing Co. of Houston, Texas, and two for Suderman & Young Towing of Houston
This summer, Master laid the keel for the first of the two vessels for Bay Houston. Under a contract order signed in February 2021, the operator will take delivery starting in July 2022.
The tugboats will have an overall length of 85 feet, beam of 38.5 feet, and produce a bollard pull of over 52 metric tonnes. Each vessel will feature two Caterpillar 3512E main engines, EPA Tier 4-certified and each producing 2,213 hp, along with two Schottel SRP 430FP z-drive thrusters and a Markey Machinery DEPCF-48 bow winch.
“Through our integrated approach to vessel design, engineering and construction, Master Boat Builders has a comprehensive plan to build these new tugboats on schedule and at a value to Bay Houston Towing Co.,” said Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders. “We are excited to work with Bay Houston on this project, with its long history of being one of the best tugboat operators in the United States. These vessels will only add to its impressive fleet of tugboats.”
The specifications of the two new Suderman & Young tugs are similar, as is the delivery time frame. Robert Allan Ltd. is designing all four of the tugboats, which will meet U.S. Coast Guard regulations and will be classed through the American Bureau of Shipping.
“Suderman & Young is one of the premiere tugboat operators in the United States and we are excited to be partnering with them to provide a quality tugboat to serve the western Gulf Coast ports,” Rice said.
– Master Boat Builders
