Cooper Marine Announces Mv. David J. Cooper Jr.

Cooper Marine, a deep-draft and inland bulk stevedore, barge line and barge fleeting operator across the southeastern United States, has added a 4,200 hp. towing vessel to its fleet, which now stands at 42.

Cooper Marine, part of The Cooper Group, acquired the mv. American Pharoah from New Orleans-based Turn Services and renamed it the mv. David J. Cooper Jr. Cooper described the David J. Cooper Jr. as “uniquely balanced with maneuverability and horsepower, making it ideal for transporting cargo on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.”

“The addition of the mv. David J. Cooper Jr. further solidifies Cooper Marine’s longstanding commitment to deliver the industry’s most efficient and safe barge transportation in the region,” said Matt Powell, managing director of Cooper Marine Inc. “Cooper Marine’s action-oriented management team looks forward to ensuring it delivers the industry’s best service for many years to come.”

The towboat measures 120 by 34 feet and features Caterpillar 3516 diesel engines and Reintjes WAF 873 reduction gears. Ship service power comes from a pair of John Deere 6081 engines and MagnaPlus generators. The David J. Cooper Jr. will be homeported in Mobile, Ala., but with accommodations for a crew of eight, it is equipped to operate throughout the inland river system.

“Cooper Marine is dedicated to going above and beyond for our customers, and our acquisition of the mv. David J. Cooper Jr. proves that we will continue to deliver the highest results for generations to come,” said Angus R. Cooper III, president of The Cooper Group.

The mv. David J. Cooper Jr. was built in 1977 by Hillman Barge & Construction Co. of Brownsville, Pa., according to the Inland River Record. It was repowered in 2014. The vessel was originally owned by Exxon and carried the name Exxon Nashville. It was sold to SeaRiver Maritime and renamed the S/R Nashville in 1993, then leased and renamed the De Ette Anderson in 1997. SeaRiver took over operation of the vessel again in February 2002 and sold it to Florida Marine Transporters the following year. FMT operated it as the mv. John Roberts until the vessel was told to Turn Services in December 2016.

Turn Services christened it the mv. American Pharoah the following February, naming it after the 2015 thoroughbred racing Triple Crown winner, the first in 37 years. American Pharoah remains the only horse to win the “grand slam” of thoroughbred racing: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Classic.