Built at BAE Systems’ Jacksonville, Fla. shipyard, the new tug Sea Power has delivered the tug Sea Power to Seabulk Tankers, Inc. to be used to enhance the shipper’s Jones Act coastal operation, powering barges that transport chemical and petroleum products between U.S. ports.
Sea Power is a 141-foot-long, 12,000-brake horsepower, twin-screw tug that will work in tandem with a high-specification, 30,000 deadweight tonnage chemical tank barge as an articulated tug and barge unit. BAE Systems and Guido Perla & Associates, Inc., of Seattle, Washington, designed the vessel.
“We are proud to deliver Sea Power to our customer Seabulk Tankers and believe that the vessel will provide outstanding service for many years to come,” said David Thomas, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair. “Our collaborative relationship with Seabulk Tankers and the dedication of our highly-skilled shipbuilders made this ship delivery possible.”
Earlier this year, the Jacksonville shipyard delivered the final ship in a class of four platform supply vessels to Jackson Offshore Operators. That ship, the MV Squall, also operates in Jones Act service to the U.S. coastal trade.