Master Boat christens Marauder, first of eight tugboats in new Maritime Partners series

L to R: Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders, vessel sponsor Mrs. Alison Parker Carmel, and Maritime Partners CEO Bick Brooks.[Photo: Master Boat Builders]

Representatives from Master Boat Builders Inc and Maritime Partners LLC this week gathered at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf in Mobile, Ala., to christen Marauder, the first in a series of eight new Robert Allan Ltd. RApport 2700 tugboats.

Marking the vessel’s transition from construction, the christening was performed by Marauder’s sponsor, Mrs. Alison Parker Carmel, wife of U.S. Maritime Administrator Stephen M. Carmel.

“This christening is a proud moment for our workforce and an important milestone in this program,” said Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders. “From the earliest stages of construction to final delivery, Marauder reflects the craftsmanship, experience, and pride of the men and women who build vessels at our Coden, Ala., shipyard. We’re honored to deliver the first vessel in this eight-tug program for Maritime Partners.”

Marauder measures 88 feet in length and is classified as an A1 Escort Tug and Towing Vessel. The vessel carries AMS (Automated Machinery System) certification, UWILD (Underwater Inspection in Lieu of Drydocking) certification, and has FFV1 fire‑fighting capability. It is designated a Low Emissions Vessel (LEV) under U.S. standards.

With delivery completed, Marauder will now enter Maritime Partners’ fleet, supporting operations across towing, escort, and marine support services. Seven additional vessels remain under contract, with deliveries scheduled to continue through completion of the series. Each delivery strengthens the Gulf Coast shipbuilding industrial base and demonstrates the capability of American shipyards to deliver modern, mission-ready vessels for the maritime industry.

“A tremendous amount of thought, collaboration, and craftsmanship went into making sure this vessel was built for the important work ahead,” said Maritime Partners CEO Bick Brooks. “Marauder, along with the seven sister vessels that will follow, represents a new standard for performance, efficiency, and versatility in the ship-assist market. From the very beginning, we knew we didn’t want an off-the-shelf design. We worked closely with Garrett Rice and the outstanding team at Master Boat Builders to bring together the best ideas, features, and capabilities available anywhere in the industry. We’re proud of what this partnership has accomplished, and we’re excited to see these vessels go to work.”