Mitch Jones News

The November edition of Marine News magazine highlighted a selection of the most notable American newbuilds delivered of 2023—from a first-of-its-kind green towboat, to the lead vessel in a series of game-changing ships to train U.S. mariners.Empire StateAs the lead vessel in a series of five new training ships being constructed to serve America's state maritime academies, Empire State is easily one of the most important U.S.-built vessels delivered in recent memory.Built by Philly Shipyard for the U.S.

The United States' first plug-in hybrid electric inland towing vessel was christened at a ceremony in Houston on Friday as the commercial marine industry continues to implement new technologies to reduce its environmental footprint.Kirby Inland Marine's Green Diamond will be time chartered by Shell Trading (US) Company, which will use the vessel to push barges throughout the Houston port region. According to Kirby, the vessel can achieve an estimated 80% reduction in fuel use and related emissions.“We are excited to be the first to market with a plug-in hybrid inland towing vessel…

Sneed operates out of its main facility, nearly 40 acres in Channelview, Texas, as well as a smaller yard (three acres) in Orange, Texas, and the Central Gulf Shipyard, LLC, in New Iberia, La., a full-service shipyard located on the Commercial Canal, specializing in offshore liftboat newbuild and repair; cornerstone to the company’s plan to further diversify its business from its inland core to include the offshore industry. Martin M. Sneed founded Sneed Shipbuilding in 1965 and sold it to his son Clyde Sneed and business partner Mitch Jones in 2009.

When Martin M. Sneed embarked in the business of building for the demanding workboat market in the mid-60s, he likely did not imagine that four decades later, his son Clyde (pictured) and business partner and co-owner Mitch Jones would be at the helm of a highly successful boat building company, crafting finely appointed custom boats for some of the industry’s most discriminating owners. Sneed Shipbuilding was founded by Martin M. Sneed in 1965, and many of the principles upon which it was founded: quality, integrity and efficiency, are as valid today as ever.

Kody Marine of Harvey, La. began construction of a push boat for Blessy Marine. "It will be similar to the Dreama Klaiber and the Walter E. Blessey Jr." says Blessey's Mitch Jones, "With the same propulsion package and four deck layout, but it is longer and wider." The progression in size has been evolutionary. The Dreama, launched in late 1999, is 95 x 30 x 12.5 ft. and the Walter, launched in mid-2002, is longer and wider at 110 x 32 x 11.5 ft. Now the new boat will add still more to the dimensions to become 120 ft. long with a 34-ft. beam and a 12.5-ft. molded depth. Jones explains that the additional beam gives the boat a shallower draft while the increased length gives improved performance.

In mid-December, Blessey Marine of Harahan, La., took delivery of another new push boat from, the Verret Shipyard at Plaquamine, La., a few miles up river from New Orleans. A sister ship to the Jane Ann Blessey, delivered in February 2001, and the Belth Wilson, delivered in February 2002, the 2,000 hp Randy Martin is 86 x 30 x 10.6-ft. with an eight-ft. operating draft. Mitch Jones, who oversees new construction for Blessey, reports that this is the final boat in the recent build program of the rapidly growing fleet. The Randy Martin brings the company fleet to 32 tow boats and 80 barges. "That boat should be covered by the Home and Garden televison program," says Jones in reference to the superlative finish in the new boat's crew areas.

Kody Marine of Harvey, La. began construction of a powerful push boat for Blessy Marine. "It will be similar to the Dreama Klaiber and the Walter E. The progression in size has been evolutionary. The Dreama, launched in late 1999, is 95x30x12.6 feet and the Walter, launched in mid-2002, is longer and wider at 110 x 32 x 11.5 feet. Now the new boat will add still more to the dimensions to become 120 feet long with a 34-foot beam and a 12.5-foot molded depth. Jones explains that the additional beam gives the boat a shallower draft while the increased length gives improved performance. All three vessels are built with the same proven main engine package of a pair of 16-cylinder Cummins KTA50 M2 engines, delivering a total of 3200 hp (2,388 kW) for continuous duty at 1800 RPM.

This June will see Blessey Marine add yet another push boat to its ever growing fleet. The latest addition will be delivered from the John Bludworth Shipyard in Corpus Christie, Texas. To be named Dane F. Morgan, the new boat, has been built to a design by John L. Bludworth, III. Like a number of others in the Blessey fleet, the towboat will be powered by a pair of V12-cylinder Cummins KTA38 M0 main engines. Each of these 38-liter (2,300-cu. in.) engines deliver 850 hp at 1,800 rpm. The engines will turn into Twin Disc MG540 6:1 gears to turn 74 x 52-in. stainless steel four-blade "Dominator Type" propellers from Sound Propeller Service, Inc. Ship's service power will be provided by a pair of 75 kW Onan Gensets powered by Cummins 6BT5.6(D)M engines. The boat is equipped with air controls.