Bisso Towboat News

A new tugboat is slated to enter service for Bisso Towboat this Spring.The Luling, La. based marine towage provider has been working with Main Iron Works to update its fleet, replacing a conventional tug with a tractor tug about every 18 months. In late 2022, the Houma, La. shipbuilder began building a new tractor tug Mr. Brian—the sixth azimuth stern drive (ASD) tractor tug built by Main Iron Works for Bisso in the past eight years.Named after Bisso’s vice president of operations Brian Cyprowski…

Luling, La. based marine towage provider Bisso Towboat said it has ordered a new tractor tug from Houma, La. shipbuilder Main Iron Works. Construction is scheduled to commence in late 2022 with delivery in early 2024, Bisso revealed in an announcement.The 5,000 BHP ASD tug will feature two Caterpillar 3516E Tier 4F main propulsion engines generating 2,500 BHP each at 1,600 RPM. The engines will drive a pair of Kongsberg US205S azimuthing thrusters with 2,400 mm diameter stainless steel propellers in stainless steel nozzles. Estimated bollard pull will be 66 tons.Other onboard equipment will include a JonRie Series 240 escort winch, Caterpillar C4.4 118 KW generator sets and a full complement of safety, monitoring and electronic equipment, Bisso said.

Luling, La.-based Bisso Towboat said it has signed an agreement with Houma, La. shipbuilder Main Iron Works to begin construction of a new 6,008 BHP azimuthing stern drive (ASD) tractor tug. Construction is scheduled to commence in August 2020 with delivery expected in early fall of 2021.The EPA Tier 4 compliant tug will feature two Caterpillar 3516E Tier 4F main propulsion engines generating 3,004 BHP each at 1800 RPM. The engines will drive two Schottel SRP 460 FP azimuth thrusters with 98.4″ diameter stainless steel propellers in stainless steel nozzles.

Caterpillar Marine has supplied two Cat 3516E Tier 4 main engines to the Andrew S. The EPA Tier 4 Final and Subchapter M azimuth stern drive (ASD) tractor tug was delivered to Bisso Towboat Co.Each engine generates 3,004 bhp at 1,800 rpm and a selective catalyst reduction (SCR) system. At 6,008 bhp, Andrew S. is the most powerful Tier 4 tug on the Mississippi River.The Andrew S. measures 100’ x 38’ x 13.5’ and has an estimated bollard pull of 84 tons. Additional features of the tug include U.S.

JonRie informs its new Series 230 Assist Winch has been commissioned on the new Bisso Towboat ASD Becky S. The new JonRie Series 230 Ship Assist Winch is a new version of the Series 230 winches line. The winch features JonRie’s independent drive level wind, but with the additional installation of a Logan clutch on the drive. When the winch is heaving or paying out hawser the level wind drive is engaged, and when the tug is working under heavy ship assist loads the level wind is unclutched.

Bisso Towboat Co., Inc. announced the delivery of its new 4,000 HP ASD tractor tug Michael S. Constructed at Main Iron Works, Houma, LA, the 100 by 38 by 13.5-ft Michael S. is powered by two Cat 3516B main engines, producing 2,000 hp each at 1,600 RPM, which drive two Ulstein-Aquamaster US205 MK2 z-drives. The Z-drives feature 90.6 inch diameter by 82.4 inch pitch four blade stainless steel propellers set in stainless steel nozzles and the estimated bollard pull is 60 tons. Electrical service is provided by a pair of 99 KW Marathon Mariner generators powered by John Deere 6068TFM76 engines. Deck equipment includes a Markey DYSF-42 hydraulic bow winch equipped with 500 ft of eight inch circumference Plasma line and a Washington Chain and Supply RSRH100 100-ton quick release tow hook.

Bisso Marine used the 700 ton capacity D/B Cappy Bisso to lift a new 635 ton tug Z-Drive Tractor tug. The draft of the tug was too deep to be launched in Houma, LA at the Main Iron Works shipyard, so the tug was lifted on to a materials barge where it was placed into support cribbing then delivered via the Intracoastal Waterway to New Orleans, LA. Once in New Orleans, LA, the D/B Cappy Bisso would again lift the tug from the deck of the materials barge and place it into the Mississippi River at the Foot of Walnut Street at the Bisso Towboat fleet.

Ruben S. Dupre has been named to vice president, engineering at Bisso Towboat. With Bisso since 1981, Dupre will be responsible for the maintenance and repair of the fleet of tugs and will oversee all new tug construction. Brian Cyprowski has been named vice president, operations. With Bisso since 1987, Cyprowski will be responsible for the scheduling and job work assignment for the fleet of tugs. Captain Johnathan Davis has been named vice president, safety & quality. A captain since 1981, Davis will be responsible for safety and trainer of Bisso mariners and maintenance of the company’s safety management system.

Bisso Towboat Co., Inc., has taken delivery of a new 4,300 hp reverse z-drive ship-assist tug, Alma S. Constructed at Main Iron Works, Houma, LA, the 100 x 38 x 13.5 ft., Alma S. is powered by two EMD 16-645E6 main engines, producing 2150 hp, each at 900 rpm, which drive two Ulstein-Aquamaster US 2001 Z-drives. The Z-drives feature 90.6 in. diameter x 82.4 in. pitch stainless steel propellers set in stainless steel Kort Nozzles and the estimated bollard pull is 60 tons. Electrical service is provided by a pair of 100 KW generators powered by John Deere 6068TMGK engines. Deck equipment includes a Markey DYSF-42 hydraulic bow winch, with render/recovery feature and equipped with 500 ft. of 8 in. circumference Plasma line and a 100-ton Washington Chain and Supply quick-release tow hook.

Cecilia B. Slatten is the newest addition to Bisso Towboat Co.'s fleet of Mississippi River ship-assist tugboats. The 4,300 hp, reverse Z-drive tractor tug measures 100 x 38 x 18 ft., with an operating draft of 13.5 ft. A pair of Aquamaster US 2001 Z-drives are powered by twin EMD 16-645-E6 diesel engines, each producing 2,150 hp @ 900 rpm. The two propellers are four-bladed stainless steel, 90-in. diameter by 82-in. pitch. Electrical service is supplied by two 75kW Lima generators powered by two GM 6-71 engines. Auxiliary equipment includes the following: Marke hydraulic bow winch, McElroy Machine stern capstan, Washington Chain & Supply tow hook…

Cecilia B. Slatten, launched in late December at Main Iron Works, Inc., is the new reverse Z-drive tractor tug for Bisso Towboat Co. Inc. The 4,300 hp tug was built exclusively for ship-assist work on the Mississippi River. A pair of Aquamaster US 2001 Z-drives that are powered by twin EMD 16-645-E6 diesel engines, each producing 2,150 hp at 900 rpm, will drive the tug. Electrical power will be supplied by two 75 kW generator sets powered by two GM 6-71's. Auxiliary equipment includes a Markey hydraulic bow winch, McElroy Machine stern capstan, Washington Chain & Supply tow hook, EMI engine and fire and smoke alarm system, fire fighting monitor, stainless steel bitts and bow staple and a full complement of navigational and electronic equipment.