Master Boat Builders To Construct Fourth Tug For Bay Houston Towing

Coden, Ala.-based Master Boat Builders Inc. has announced a contract to build an additional tugboat for Bay Houston Towing Company. The Houston-based company already has three tugs of a different design under construction at Master Boat Builders. The four forthcoming tugs will join a fleet of more than 25 tugs already at work along the Texas coast.

“Bay Houston has an incredible reputation as one of the top tugboat operators in the entire country, and we are thrilled to continue working with them on a fourth tugboat,” said Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders. “We are humbled that Bay Houston has recognized the top quality of our employees and is seeking to continue working together to continue enhancing their impressive fleet of tugboats.”

Robert Allan Ltd., a Vancouver, Canada-based naval architect and marine engineering firm, designed the tugboat, which will meet U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter M regulations and be classed through the American Bureau of Shipping.

The vessel will stretch 98.5 feet from bow to stern, with a beam of 42 feet, 5 inches. The tugboat will have a bollard pull of more than 80 metric tons and feature a pair of Caterpillar 3516E EPA Tier 4 main engines, each producing 3,500 hp. The vessel will also be equipped with two Schottel Z-drive thrusters and a Markey Machinery Company bow winch.