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.