Eastern Launches Towboat for IWL River
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. has launched the Impala Mompox (Hull #245) on October 24, 2016. This is the third in a series of four Inland River Towboats for IWL River, Inc. This series of CT Marine designed 134 ft. ABS Classed Inland River Service towboats are Triple Screw with a Retractable Pilothouse and all are currently under construction at Eastern’s Allanton facility. The vessel deliveries are scheduled to start in late 2016 and continue into 2017.
The launch was hosted by Eastern's Project Manager Joe Stark. Also in attendance was IWL River, Inc.'s owner's representative, Ed Maxwell of Dufour, Laskey & Strouse, Inc. and visiting that day was Keith Keller of Elliot Bay Design Group. Both Stark and Maxwell praised the hard work and dedication of the employees. The Impala Mompox was blessed by Father Kevin McQuone, of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Panama City, and christened by Alice Johnson a 10 plus year employee of Eastern.
The Inland River Triple Screw Retractable Towboat series features the following characteristics:
- ESG Hull #245: third Vessel in the Series of four
- Length (LOA): 134’
- Breadth: 42’
- Depth: 9’
- Minimal Operational Draft: 6’
- Pilothouse Eyelevel (above waterline): 37’-6”
- Pilothouse Eyelevel (above waterline) retracted: 21’-12”
- Diesel Main Engines: (3) Caterpillar 3512C, IMO II, 1,280 Horsepower at 1,600 RPM
- Reverse Reduction Gears: (3) Reintjes, WAF665
- Diesel Generators: (2) John Deere 6090AFM85 “Gulf Pack” 200 kW, IMO II, 220-volt, 3-phase
- Classification: ABS +A1, Towing Vessel, River Service, +AMS, ABCU
- Flag: Republic of Columbia