Shearer Group Modifies LLW Towboat

Shearer Group Inc. was contracted in 2017 by Living Lands & Waters (LLW), an environmental non-profit organization whose primary mission is to aid in the protection, preservation and restoration of the natural environment of the nations’ major rivers and their watershed. The Shearer Group provided design and engineering services to LLW for modifications to a 38-foot towboat, the mv. River Cleanup.

Chad Pregracke, president of LLW, approached The Shearer Group about reducing the length of the mv. River Cleanup to 26 feet. The Shearer Group performed an as-built survey of the towboat to assess its current condition and develop as-built drawings. After that, the company analyzed the strength and stability of the vessel and designed modifications to reduce the length of the vessel from 38 feet to 26 feet in length.

The construction modifications were recently completed by Yager Marine in Owensboro, Ky., and the mv. River Cleanup was delivered back to LLW. The Shearer Group donated a portion of its time to LLW for the design modifications.

“It has been a ‘Shearer’ pleasure working with The Shearer Group,” said Pregracke. “The boat not only has a ton of practical applications but also sentimental value, so I want to thank everyone for making it happen.”

The Shearer Group has partnered with LLW on projects in the past and said that it is happy to be a part of a great cause. The company designs inland towboats, ferries and barges. It has a rich history of providing naval architecture, marine engineering and marine surveying services to the marine industry, with a focus on the inland sector.