Page 52: of Marine News Magazine (March 2019)

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VESSELS

Next Generation of Z-Tech Tugs Arrive dered by Bay Houston Towing Company through its op- erator G & H Towing Company in Galveston, Texas. The

Z-Tech 30-80 tug Mark E. Kuebler evolved from the pre- vious design for the same owner. A main feature of this lat- est Z-Tech incorporates Robert Allan Ltd.’s unique RAstar series sponsoned hull form into the existing Z-Tech design.

Computer simulations conducted by RAL’s in house CFD team demonstrate escort performance of the new tug will be signifcantly increased by generating more than 100 mt

At the end of 2018, Gulf Island Shipyards completed steering force at 10 knots which is particularly important the frst of ten Z-Tech 30-80 tugs, fve of which were or- for escorting large vessels.

LOA: 98’-6” Bollard Pull, ahead: 81.5 MT US Regulatory: 297

Beam: 42’-8” Propulsion: CAT 3516E, EPA Tier 4 Speed: 13 knots

Depth: 16’-5” GenSets: John Deere 6068AFM85 Class: ABS

ITC: 411 Builder: Gulf Island Shipyards Z Drive: Schottel

First Newbuild SubM COI for M/V Virginia

The M/V Virginia, the United States’ frst new towing vessel to receive a Certifcate of Inspection (COI) since the implementation of 46 CFR Subchapter M, is owned by

Plimsoll Marine, was built by Blakeley BoatWorks, and will operate within the Cooper Consolidated feeting foot- print, the largest feeting footprint on the Lower Missis- sippi River. All three companies are part of the Cooper

Group of companies. Designed and built over the course of a year, the 70-foot long, 28-foot wide, and 1,600 horse power vessel is both SIRE and 46 CFR Subchapter M- ready. Plimsoll Marine will operate the M/V Virginia on the Lower Mississippi River for Cooper Consolidated.

Metal Shark Delivers Pilot Boat to Brazos Pilots designed by Metal Shark and built at the company’s Frank- lin, Louisiana shipyard. This new pilot boat is intended to replace the pilots’ smaller, single-engine 40’ pilot boat, im- proving safety for crews while enhancing service to opera- tors and providing around-the-clock service at Port Free- port. A spacious, climate-controlled wheelhouse employs

Metal Shark’s signature “Pillarless Glass” for dramatically improved visibility, in a reverse-raked arrangement devel-

Louisiana-based shipbuilder Metal Shark has delivered oped by Metal Shark specifcally for pilots. Large overhead a custom welded-aluminum pilot boat to the Brazos Pi- skylights provide upward visibility while approaching and lots Association in Freeport, Texas. The new vessel, “Bra- operating alongside moving ships. Visibility is further aug- zos Pilot,” is a 64’ x 19’ Defant-class monohull pilot boat mented by the vessel’s centerline helm position.

March 2019

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