In Pitch Stainless Steel Propellers News

The two newest inland river towboats in Tidewater Transportation and Terminals’ fleet, Granite Point and Ryan Point, were christened during a late afternoon ceremony Saturday, June 11 at Vancouver Landing in Vancouver, Wash. After Deacon Tim Dooley from Portland’s Holy Family Parish delivered a blessing, Patty Reed, wife of Bruce Reed, Tidewater’s Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, and Diane Laya, wife of Marc Schwartz, Tidewater’s Maintenance and Engineering Manager…

Tidewater Transportation and Terminals, headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, has taken delivery of Crown Point, a new custom-built towboat commissioned at Portland’s Vigor Industrial. Crown Point is the first of a series of three towboats being built at Vigor for Tidewater, and will join the company’s current fleet of 16 vessels and 160 barges. Marc Schwartz, Maintenance & Engineering Manager at Tidewater, expressed, “The launching of the Crown Point, and the forthcoming Granite Point and Ryan Point vessels, marks an important step for Tidewater.

Marcon International, Inc. of Coupeville, Washington announced the sale of the 3,900BHP, U.S. flag twin screw tug Maria Brusco (ex-Ocean Service) from a U.S. owner to private overseas buyers for transfer to registry under foreign flag. The 127’ x 32’ x 14’ depth tug was originally built in 1967 by Burton Shipyard Inc. in Port Arthur, Texas as Hull 404 for International Bulk Transport of Wilmington, Delaware and operated for Sonat Marine of Philadelphia towing petroleum barges coastwise. The tug underwent a major reconstruction in 1987 under her previous ownership.

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.

RINCON Marine, Inc., has taken delivery of its newest addition, anchor handling tug Santa Cruz. The 190 x 44 x 16 ft. vessel is the first of two vessels of this design being built at Eastern Shipbuilding Group, incorporating the anchor handling equipment necessary for servicing the oil rigs in Santa Barbara Channel. A traditional supply boat layout has been followed, with capacities including 70,000 gal. diesel fuel, 223,395 gal. ballast water, 7,200 cu.ft. dry bulk mud in six 1,200 cu.ft. tanks, 2,016 barrels grade E liquid mud, and 8.650 gal. or potable water. Santa Cruz has a conventional propulsion arrangement. Main engines fitted are Caterpillar Model 3516B rated at 2,200 bhp @ 1,600 rpm, coupled to Reintjes Model WAF872 gearboxes with a ratio of 6.4:1.

A new 105 ft., multi-purpose, double-hull tug, Vera Bisso, has been launched by Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., of Lockport, La., for E.N. Bisso & Son, Inc., of Metairie, La. Similar to other tugs built by E.N. Bisso & Son during the 1990s, Vera Bisso is designed for dual applications. Its initial focus will be on ship assist work along the Mississippi River, for which the vessel possesses exceptional maneuverability. However, with its sturdy build, Vera Bisso is also capable of performing offshore work. According to Walter Kristiansen, president of E.N. Bisso & Son, the vessel's design resulted from comments solicited from company workers, as well as colleagues. "We started with a blank piece of paper for this tug," said Kristiansen.

Why is a story on a new 105-ft. tug leading off the propulsion performance products section? Because the Vera Bisso, a new 32-m multi-purpose, double-hull tug, being built at Bollinger Shipyards’ Lockport, La. yard for E.N. Bisso & Son, Inc.— offers some interesting propulsion system enhancements to improve and broaden its capabilities. Similar to other tugs built by E.N. Bisso & Son during the 1990s, Vera Bisso is designed for dual applications. Its initial focus will be on ship assist work along the Mississippi River, for which the vessel possesses exceptional maneuverability. However, with its sturdy build, Vera Bisso is also capable of performing offshore work. According to Walter Kristiansen, president of E.N.