• March 05, 2021
• Inland, News

M/V Rock Solid is the latest delivery in series of four towboats

The Master Marine Inc. shipyard in Bayou La Batre, Ala., has delivered the 67- by 20-foot M/V Rock Solid, the third in the series of four towboats it is building for to LaPlace, La., based Cooper Group company Plimsoll Marine, one of the Lower Mississippi River’s leading push boat operators.

The first, M/V Iron Lady,was delivered in September last year.

The four vessels have been designed by Entech Designs LLC and are fully compliant with all U.S. Coast Guard regulatory requirements.

“The delivery of the Rock Solid marks another milestone in our effort to build and maintain our industry’s most modern and capable fleet of push boats,” said Angus R. Cooper III, president, Cooper/T. Smith. “Our team prides itself on serving our industry as the premier push boat service provider on the Lower Mississippi River and our continued investment in the Plimsoll fleet is a testament to our pledge to always return the highest level of value to our customers.”

“Plimsoll Marine is proud to add the Rock Solid to our growing fleet of world-class push boats,” said Karl Gonzales, Vice President of Plimsoll Marine. “Coupled with our team of highly experienced and skilled mariners, Rock Solid further ensures our ability to exceed the expectations of our customers in the safest and most efficient manner.”

The towboat is powered by two Laborde Products Inc. Mitsubishi 803 HP Tier III diesel marine engines operating at 1,400 RPM and coupled to Twin Disc 5321 gears. Laborde Products also supplied the vessel’s two Northern Lights 65 kW Tier III electronic controlled generators.

RW Fernstrum Inc. keel coolers are fitted throughout.

A pair of Sound Propeller Services Inc. 70- by 48- by 7-inch four-bladed stainless steel propellers provide thrust through two J & S Machine Works, Inc. 7-inch ABS gradepropeller shafts with all Thordon Bearings, Thorplas bushings and shaft seals.

Rio Controls and Hydraulics Inc. supplied the steering system for the two 7-inch main and four 7-inch flanking rudders.

Gulf Coast Air & Hydraulics, Inc. provided a pair of Quincy reciprocating air compressors and ventilation fans. Schuyler Maritime, LLC supplied all 18- by 12-inch rubber fendering around the perimeter of the vessel and push knees.

R.S Price & Son provided a Carrier mini-split HVAC system in all interior spaces with Blakeney Marine providing all custom woodwork and interior finishes. Donavon Marine supplied the large Bomar aluminum windows and Dales Welding and Fabricators LLC provided the aluminum exterior doors.

Wintech International LLC supplied a pair of 40-ton deck winches and New World, Inc. provided all electronics and communications, with an alarm system from Unlimited Control & Supply Inc.

Each of the four towboats has the capacity for 10,400 gallons of fuel, 4,359 gallons of potable water and 9,500 gallons of ballast water. The maximum working draft is 7 feet, 9 inches.

Each vessel is outfitted with three crew staterooms housing six crewmembers, one and a half baths and a full galley arrangement.