Master Marine Delivers Mv. Iron Lady To Plimsoll Marine
Master Marine Inc. (MMI), Bayou La Batre, Ala., has delivered the 67- by 28-foot mv. Iron Lady to Plimsoll Marine. The Iron Lady is the first in a series of four vessels for Plimsoll, designed by Entech Designs LLC and fully compliant with all United States Coast Guard regulatory requirements.
“The delivery of the Iron Lady marks another milestone in our unrelenting effort to build and maintain our industry’s most modern and capable fleet of push boats,” said Angus R. Cooper III, president of Cooper/T. Smith, parent company of Plimsoll Marine. “Our team prides itself on serving our industry as the premier pushboat service provider on the Lower Mississippi River, and our continued investment in the Plimsoll fleet is a testament to our pledge to always return the highest level of value to our customers.”
“Plimsoll Marine is proud to add Iron Lady to our growing fleet of world-class pushboats,” said Karl Gonzales, vice president of Plimsoll Marine. “Coupled with our team of highly experienced and skilled mariners, the Iron Lady further ensures our ability to exceed the expectations of our customers in the safest and most efficient manner.”
Iron Lady Specs
The Iron Lady is powered by two Laborde Products Inc.-supplied Mitsubishi S6R2 Tier 3 diesel marine engines, each providing 803 hp. at 1,400 rpm., coupled to Twin Disc 5321 gears. Laborde also supplied two Northern Lights 65 kW Tier 3 electronic-controlled generators with R.W. Fernstrum Inc. keel coolers throughout.
A pair of Sound Propeller Services Inc. 70- by 48- by 7-inch four-blade stainless steel propellers provide thrust through two J&S Machine Works Inc. 7-inch shafts with all Thordon Bearings, Thorplas bushings and shaft seals. RIO Controls & Hydraulics Inc. supplied the steering system for the two 7-inch main and four 7-inch flanking rudders.
Gulf Coast Air & Hydraulics Inc. provided a pair of Quincy reciprocating air compressors and ventilation fans. Schuyler Maritime LLC supplied all 18- by 12-inch rubber fendering around the perimeter of the vessel and push knees.
R.S Price & Son provided a Carrier mini-split HVAC system in all interior spaces with Blakeney Marine providing all custom woodwork and interior finishes. Donovan Marine supplied the large Bomar aluminum windows, and Dale’s Welding & Fabricators LLC provided the aluminum exterior doors. Wintech International LLC supplied a pair of 40- ton deck winches. New World Inc. provided all electronics and communications, with an alarm system from Unlimited Control & Supply Inc.
Each of the four towboats in the series will have the capacity for 10,400 gallons of fuel and 4,359 gallons of potable water, along with providing a maximum 7-foot, 9-inch working draft. Each vessel is outfitted with three crew staterooms housing six crewmen, 1-½ baths and a full galley arrangement.
The Iron Lady and the remaining vessels to be delivered are all named for materials/products that the vessels transport, said Thomas Smith, director of corporate communications for Cooper/T. Smith. The Iron Lady gets its name from the pig iron carried in barges that it will be pushing on the river.
Plimsoll Marine, a Cooper Group Company based in Darrow, La., performs fleeting and barge services on the Lower Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to the Head of Passes.
Since its inception in 1961, Master Marine Inc. has specialized in new ship builds, haul outs, conversions and repairs for the gas and oil sector, inland transportation, passenger vessels and commercial fishing industries.
