Bisso Towboat takes delivery of ASD tractor tug

Written by Nick Blenkey
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Mr. Ruben

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 — Bisso Towboat Co., Inc. Luling, LA, has taken delivery of its newest ship-assist tug, the 4,480 hp ASD tractor tug Mr. Ruben.

The Mr. Ruben is the first of two identical tractor tugs under construction for Bisso Towboat Co., Inc. at the Main Iron Works shipyard in Houma, LA.

The 100′ x 38′ x 13.S’ Mr. Ruben is powered by two Caterpillar 3515T3MPL (Tier 3 compliant) Main Engines, generating 2,240 hp each at 1m600 rpm, which drive two Rolls-Royce US20SFP Z-drives feature 90.6″ diameter by 82.4″ pitch stainless steel propellers set in stainless steel nozzles and the estimated bollard pull is 60 Tons.

Electrical service is provided by two 99 kW Marathon Generators powered by two John Deere 4045AFM85 (Tier 3 compliant) engines and the tug is equipped with a JonRie Series 230 hydraulic bow winch carrying 500′ of 8″ circumference Amsteel Blue.

Other features include USCG-approved engine room monitoring and fire/smoke alarm systems, Simrad navigation/electronics, soundproof insulation throughout engine room and crew quarters, stainless steel bitts and bow staple and four bunk rooms with seven berths.

Tankage included capacities for 30,163 gallons of diesel fuel, 1,826 gallons each of lube and hydraulic oil and 10,938 gallons of potable water.

The Mr. Ruben will have a crew complement of four and carries an ABS International load line in addition to being ISM Certified by ABS and USCG Inspected/Certified .

The Mr. Ruben is the sixth ASD Tractor Tug built for Bisso by Main Iron Works and the tenth new tug built for Bisso by Main in the past twenty-five years.

The addition of the Mr. Ruben brings the total number of tugs in the Bisso fleet to twelve and continues Bisso leadership of the Mississippi River ship-assist trade with the largest fleet of ASD tractor tugs on the Mississippi River.

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