Master Marine Signs Contracts To Build Six Towboats
Master Marine Inc., Bayou la Batre, Ala., announced November 9 it has signed contracts to build six Subchapter M-compliant towboats, and has already laid the keels for the first two.
All vessels will be 67 by 28 feet, designed by Entech Designs LLC. The first two will be for Osage Marine Services Inc., St. Louis, Mo., and the other four are for an undisclosed customer operating in the Lower Mississippi River system. The Osage boats will be delivered by the summer of 2019, with the others to follow in close succession.
“We are very happy to be teaming up with these companies to provide them and their customers the latest towboats and equipment available along with meeting Subchapter M requirements,” Master Marine said in the announcement.
Vessel Specs
Each boat will be powered by a pair of 803 hp. Mitsubishi S6R2-Y3MPTAW Tier III diesel marine engines provided by Laborde Products. They will be coupled to Twin Disc 5321 gears turning four-blade, stainless-steel, 70- by 48- by 7-inch propellers from Sound Propeller Services Inc. J&S Machine Works Inc. will provide 7-inch Grade 2 shafts with all Thordon Marine Industries Corporation bearings, Thorplas bushings and shaft seals. Engines will be cooled by R.W. Fernstrum Inc. keel coolers.
Laborde Products is also providing electrical power with two Northern Lights M65C13.2S 65KW Tier III electronic controlled generators.
Custom Hydraulic Components Inc. will supply the steering system for the two main and four flanking rudders. Gulf Coast Air & Hydraulics Inc. will provide a pair of Quincy F325 reciprocating air compressors and ventilation fans. Schuyler Maritime LLC will provide all 11- by 18-inch rubber fendering around the entire perimeter of the vessel and push knees.
R.S. Price & Son Inc. will provide a Mitsubishi mini-split heat pump HVAC system in all interior spaces. Blakeney Marine will provide all custom woodwork and interior finishes, while Donovan Marine will provide the large aluminum Diamond SeaGlaze windows, and Dales Welding & Fabricators LLC will supply the aluminum exterior doors. Dickson Marine Supply will provide a pair of Wintech 40-ton deck winches.
New World Inc. will provide all of the electronics and communications, and Unlimited Control & Supply Inc. will supply the alarm system.
Each towboat will have a 7-foot, 9-inch working draft, and will have capacity for 10,400 gallons of fuel, 4,359 gallons of potable water and 9,500 gallons of ballast water. Each vessel will have three crew staterooms, 1-1/2 baths and a full galley arrangement.
