Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the delivery of the M/V HARVEY SBISA (Hull 192) on November 30, 2015, the 62nd 90’ Inland Towboat to Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. of Mandeville, LA., continuing its ongoing new build program, the Group said in a press release.
It was in the Spring of this year, when Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. signed an additional towboat, bringing the total to sixty-five vessels contracted over the last 10 years. Five of the most recent 90’ inland towboat deliveries to Florida Marine occurred over the past twelve months. The M/V HARVEY SBISA was constructed at Eastern’s Allanton Facility from a design furnished by Gilbert Associates, Inc. of Boston, MA.
This ongoing order for 90’ towboats originally began with a twenty-five vessel contract, with on-time deliveries starting in 2006. It has expanded to become the largest single builder, single Owner, new construction program with the same class towboat design in United States history.
The vessels recently delivered and under contract with Florida Marine are installed with EPA Tier 3 main propulsion engines and generators. The vessel is powered by two Caterpillar 3512C Tier 3 diesel engines rated at 1,500 HP at 1,600 RPM provided by Louisiana Power Systems. The reduction gears are direct coupled Twin-Disc Model MG-5600 with a 6.04:1 reduction supplied by Stewart Supply, Inc. of Harvey, Louisiana.
Electrical power is provided by two (2) 99kW John Deere 4045AFM85 99KW Tier 3 generator sets rated for 60 Hz, at 208 VAC provided by Kennedy Engine Company of Biloxi, MS. These diesel engines comply with the current EPA Tier 3/MARPOL control of emissions of nitrogen oxides from marine diesel engines.
Florida Marine Transporters since 1997 has developed into one of the largest inland marine companies. Florida Marine has towboat and tank barge fleets, providing services for transport of a variety of cargoes such as petrochemicals, chemicals, LPG, crude oil, agricultural liquids and dry cargo. Through the efforts of its experienced leadership team and dedicated vessel and shore side employees, Florida Marine operates in a safe, environmentally sound and efficient manner.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. has two shipbuilding facilities in Panama City, Florida and has been in business since 1976; constructing new, converting and repairing vessels in steel and aluminum of all types including: offshore tugs, harbor tugs, barges, ATB’s, diesel electric supply vessels, research vessels, firefighting vessels, barges, ferries, passenger vessels, fishing vessels and towboats for both the commercial and government marine markets.