Blessey Christens M/V Doug Barker

Blessey Marine Services newest vessel, 78 x 28 x 10.6-ft., M/V Doug Barker moored near the Hilton Hotel at the Foot of New Orleans's historic Poydras Street for a Christening ceremony. Built at the Verrete Shipyard in Plaquemine, La., the new vessel is the first of several to be delivered to the rapidly growing towboat operating company from various yards over the coming months. Doug Barker is powered by a pair of 12-cylinder Cummins KTA38 M2 main engines delivering 1,000 hp each at 1,800 rpm to Reintjes model WAF561 gears with a ratio of 5.947:1 turning seven-in. AS steel shafts and 74 x 58-in. propellers. Electrical needs are met by a pair of Cummins powered 75Kw gen sets. Intended for work on the Mississippi River system, the three-decked vessel has the wheelhouse elevated an additional five ft. to provide 32-ft. wheelhouse visibility while gaining usable space under the wheelhouse. The boat will push a pair of Blessey's 30,000 barrel black oil and asphalt barges.