Gulf Island Delivers Towboat to Marquette Transportation
Gulf Island Shipyards, LLC recently delivered the second of a three-vessel new build program for Marquette Transportation Company of Paducah Kentucky. The M/V Loree Eckstein, named after John Eckstein’s wife, was delivered on February 18, 2016 at Gulf Island Shipyards’ Houma (South) yard.
This vessel is 180 ft. x 48 ft. x 11.5 ft. and is powered by twin EMD 20-710 G7C Tier 3, low emission diesel engines capable of producing over 10,000 horsepower via Lufkin gearboxes. Pushing the vessel are a pair of ducted, stainless steel, five-bladed propellers 10 ft. in diameter. There are two sets of flanking rudders and two sets of Becker “High-Lift” steering rudders which provide excellent steering control and maneuverability. The upper deckhouse is spring-mounted to the main deck reducing noise and vibration for additional crew comfort. The towboat is capable of pushing 40 barges up and down the Mississippi River and adjoining tributaries in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.
John Eckstein, president and CEO of Marquette Transportation Company, noted, “We are excited to take delivery of the M/V Loree Eckstein which will be the 130th boat in the Marquette fleet. My wife and I were on her the day before she left the shipyard, and she is very proud to have such an extraordinary vessel bear her name. I want to thank Gulf Island Shipyard for a job well done in building this series of boats that will serve our customers well into the future.”
The towboat M/V Loree Eckstein is a sister to Rick Calhoun which was delivered in August 2015 as well as the M/V Chad Pregracke which will be delivered in September, 2016.