Master Boat building new tug for Bay Houston Towing
Master Boat Builders Inc. will build a fourth new tugboat in its Coden, Ala., yard for Bay Houston Towing Co., Houston. Master Boat currently has three tugs under construction of a different design for Bay Houston Towing.
“Bay Houston has an incredible reputation as one of the top tugboat operators in the entire country and we are thrilled to continue working with them on a fourth tugboat,” said Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders.
“We are humbled that Bay Houston has recognized the top quality of our employees and is seeking to continue working together to continue enhancing their impressive fleet of tugboats.”
Naval architect and marine engineering firm Robert Allan Ltd. designed the tugboat, which will meet Coast Guard Subchapter M regulations and will be classed through the American Bureau of Shipping.
The tug will be 98’6″x42.5′, and produce a bollard pull of over 52 metric tonnes. The vessel will feature two Caterpillar 3516E, Tier 4 engines, each producing 3,500 hp, along with two Schottel Z-drive thrusters (SRP 510FP), and a Markey Machinery bow winch (DEPCF-48).
About Master Boat Builders, Inc.
in 1979, Hurricane Frederic barreled into the Gulf Coast and a small seafood shop in Coden, Alabama was right in its path.
The shop, owned by James and Michael Rice, was destroyed. Out of that destruction, the father-son duo endeavored to create a new venture building boats. Within months, Master Boat Builder was founded.
What started as a small venture quickly turned into an internationally recognized workboat business. Over the past 30 years, Master Boat Builders, Inc. has built and delivered approximately 430 vessels to customers all over the world.
