Eastern Shipbuilding delivers the third serial Z-Tech 2400 class escort tug to Bay-Houston Towing

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. has delivered third in a series of four DAVID B escort tugs built for Bay-Houston Towing Co. The Robert Allan, LTD. (RAL) designed Z-Tech 2400 Class Terminal & Escort Tugs are currently under construction at Eastern’s Nelson Street facility, the shipbuilder said in a press release.

The DAVID B (ESG Hull #239) Z-Tech class terminal & escort tugs being constructed for Bay-Houston Towing Co. The H. DOUGLAS M (ESG Hull #236), the lead vessel in the series, delivered on February 5, 2016. Eastern is also constructing another identical series of four (4) tugs for Suderman & Young Towing Company. G&H Towing Company is the Owners’ onsite Representative and Agent during the engineering, construction and delivery for both Bay-Houston and Suderman & Young.

G&H Towing Company will operate the vessels after delivery.

Robert Allan, LTD (RAL) of Vancouver, B.C. provided the Z-Tech 2400 Class Terminal & Escort Tugs design and engineering. G&H Towing's fleet currently consists of eight “ZTech” tugs in operation. This “Z-Tech” incorporates the latest technology for escort service and ship assist.

The ship's general characteristics: ESG Hull #239: 3rd Vessel in the Series of 4; Dimensions (Overall): 80’-0”x 38’-3”x 15’-9”
Total Horsepower: 5,150 HP @ 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 @ 1800; 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.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. has two new construction and repair facilities in Panama City, Florida and has been in business since 1976 building new, converting and repairing vessels in steel and aluminum of all types including: offshore and harbor tugs, offshore/platform supply vessels, multi-purpose construction vessels, research vessels, firefighting vessels, barges, ferries, passenger vessels, fishing vessels and inland towboats. Over the years, the Group has constructed and delivered twenty-eight Z-drive tugs of similar size and complexity for several customers in the United States. With these Z-Tech series tugs, Eastern maintains its reputation as one of the largest Z-drive tug new construction shipyards in North America.