MARCO Shipyards Signs Local Contract

MARCO Shipyard Seattle signed a contract to build a new tug for Harley Marine Services Inc., of Seattle, the parent company of Olympic Tug & Barge. Recently, MARCO completed a series of nine tractor tugs operating in Alaska, California, and Hawaii. Measuring 105 ft., the new tug will be used by Harley Marine as a ship assist and towing service for the West Coast. Except for some pilothouse modifications and the addition of barge fendering, the tug will be similar to Gyrfalcon, owned and operated by Harley Marine in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Scheduled for a February 2000 delivery, the tug will be powered by twin Caterpillar 3516B diesels, providing a combined 4,400-hp driving Ulstein 1650H Z-drive units, each fitted with Ulstein's nozzle and skewed Kaplan-style propellers.