Conrad Names Oceangoing Tug for Hawaii

The provider of shipbuilding services Conrad Shipyard christened the oceangoing tug Kāpena Bob Purdy for Young Brothers Ltd, of Honolulu, Hawaii, a subsidiary of Foss Maritime Company.

During the ceremony, which was held at Conrad Amelia in Amelia, Louisiana, Gary Lipely, Conrad Director of Sales and Marketing serving as master of ceremonies, introduced Joseph Boivin of Young Brothers, Will Roberts of Foss Maritime, and Julia MacDonald, Ship’s Sponsor.

Father Clyde Mahler of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Morgan City conducted the christening, said a press release from the company which designs, builds and overhauls tugboats, ferries, liftboats, barges, offshore supply vessels and other steel and aluminum products for both commercial and government markets.

Kāpena means Captain in Hawaiian, and the Kāpena Bob Purdy is the fourth in a series of Conrad-built tugs, all named for legendary Captains in Young Brothers’ storied 100-year history of operation.

Conrad Senior Vice President, Dan Conrad, commented on the vessel: “This beautiful tug is a testament to the hard work of what we believe to be among the industry’s finest shipbuilding teams."

"She is validation of our founding principles of Safety, Quality, Craftsmanship, Integrity and Service; and, she is a perfect example of our founder and my grandfather’s advice to ‘only build vessels worthy of bearing the Conrad name’,” he said.

The Kāpena Bob Purdy is scheduled for sea trials by month’s end and will be delivered to Young Brothers immediately thereafter.