Bay-Houston's New Escort Tug Launched

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. has launched Laura B, the final vessel in a series of four Robert Allan, LTD. (RAL) designed Z-Tech 2400 Class terminal and escort tugs built for Bay-Houston Towing Co. The Laura B is scheduled to deliver in 2016.

The launch ceremony was on July 1, 2016 at the builder’s Nelson Street facility and hosted by Patrick D’Isernia, Project Manager at Eastern, with employees and guests in attendance. Deacon Tim Warner of St. John’s Catholic Church of Panama City, Fla. blessed the vessel, and Kingsley Reeves, daughter of ESG Project Manager, England Reeves, christened the vessel.

The first three vessels of the series, H. Douglas M (Hull 236), Zyana K (Hull 238) and David B (Hull 239), were delivered earlier this year.

Eastern is also constructing simultaneously an identical series of the same design for Suderman & Young Towing Company.

ESG Hull #: H254 – 4th Vessel in the Series of 4

Dimensions (Overall): 80’-0”x 38’-3”x 15’-9”

Total Horsepower: 5,150 HP at 1,600 RPM

Main Engines: (2) Caterpillar 3516C (B rating) Tier 3 marine propulsion diesel engines

Main Propulsion: (2) Schottel Model SRP 1215FP in Nozzles Z-Drives

Main Generators: (2) John Deere 4045AFM85 Tier 3, 99kW 480V at 1,800 RPM marine diesel generator sets

Hawser Winch: (1) Markey Machinery Fairleader 50HP Electric

Hawser Winch, Model DEPCF-48S, 36” wide Drum Mid-drum brake holding capacity 300,000 lbs

Classification: ABS +A1, Towing Vessel, AMS and Escort Service

ABS Loadline (SoC), Statement of Compliance

Flag: United States of America