Marine Chartering Associates Receives Mv. Otto
Master Marine, a shipyard located on seven acres on Bayou La Batre, Ala., at Mile 117 GIWW East, has delivered a new towboat, the mv. Otto, to Marine Chartering Associates LLC, a marine equipment lessor based in Houston, Texas. The Otto is a Subchapter M compliant, 67- by 28-foot, 1,600 hp. twin-screw towboat designed by Entech Designs.
“We are very happy to have been able to team up with MCA to provide them and their customers the latest up-to-date towboat with equipment meeting all Subchapter M requirements,” Master Marine said in an announcement.
The new boat was placed into service October 2 and is being operated by Strategic Towing Services LLC, headquartered in Orange, Texas, at the four-year-old company’s 100-barge fleet in an oxbow of the Neches River five miles from its intersection with the GIWW. The principals at Strategic are James Robertson and Chris Bouquet, formerly of CLM Towing. Marine Chartering is owned by John McMahan, the former vice president and chief financial officer of Higman Barge Lines.
The Otto is powered by a pair of Laborde-supplied Mitsubishi S6R2, 800 hp. Tier III diesel engines operating at 1,400 rpm. The engines are coupled to Twin Disc 5321 gears supplied by Sewart. A pair of HS Marine 70- by 48- by 7-inch, four-blade stainless steel propellers provide thrust through two J&S Machine Works 7-inch, ABS Grade 2 propeller shafts.
Devall Diesel provided electrical power via two John Deere 65 kW Tier III electronic-controlled generators. The main engines, gears and generators are cooled by Fernstrum Gridcoolers. Unlimited Controls provided the main switchboard and commissioned the auto-start system. Eagle Controls provided and installed the machinery alarms. Pennant Marine installed the electrical wiring, switches and lighting.
Thordon RiverTough tailshaft bearings, SXL rudder bearings and thrust washers and TG100 dripless tailshaft seals surround the shafting for smooth operation. Thordon also provided ThorPlas-Blue steering gear bushings. The steering system was provided by Custom Hydraulic Components controlling two 7-foot main steering rudders and four 7-foot flanking rudders.
Schuyler Maritime supplied the 18- by 11-inch rubber fendering around the perimeter of the vessel and the pushknees. Gulf Coast Air & Hydraulics provided a pair of Quincy F325 reciprocating air compressors and ventilation fans. R.S. Price & Son supplied and installed the Carrier mini-split heat pump system in all interior spaces.
Blakeney Marine did all the custom woodwork, cabinetry and interior finishes. The MSD unit is a Seahorse from DiSalvo Marine Equipment. The aluminum-framed windows were provided by Bomar and the Carlisle & Finch Xenon searchlights are from Donovan Marine. Dale’s Welding supplied the aluminum exterior doors. Byrne Rice & Turner provided a pair of Nabrico 40-ton deck winches and stainless steel Nabrico deck buttons.
Wheelhouse Electronics supplied and installed all navigation and communication electronics in the pilothouse. Additional vibration and noise isolation control hangers were installed on the Soundown exhaust system.
The vessel has 15,600 gallons of fuel capacity and can hold 4,359 gallons of potable water providing a maximum working draft of 7 feet 9 inches. The vessel has three crew staterooms, 1-1/2 baths and a full galley arrangement.
The mv. Otto is named for a legacy of five namesakes—George Otto McDaniel Sr. through George Otto McDaniel V—who are long time business partners and friends of the McMahan family.
The Otto was preceded in June by another vessel, the mv. Laura M, that was built by Vessel Repair in Groves, Texas. It is an 86-foot, 2,600 hp. Pacesetter-class towboat named after John McMahan’s daughter.
Caption for photo: Built by Master Marine, the mv. Otto is owned by Marine Chartering Associates and will be operated by Strategic Towing Services. (Photo courtesy of Master Marine)
