Great Lakes Towing Company christens its new tug Puerto Rico

Photo: Great Lakes Towing

The Cleveland, Ohio-based Great Lakes Towing Company recently christening of its newest tugboat, Puerto Rico, at Collision Bend Brewing Company along the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio. The ceremony brought together employees, customers, industry partners, and friends to commemorate the newest addition to the company’s fleet.

The vessel’s sponsor was Sara Fuentes, president of the Transportation Institute and former Marine Log Top Women in Maritime honoree, who performed the traditional maritime honor of christening the tug by breaking a ceremonial bottle of champagne across the vessel’s hull. The role of sponsor is a long-standing maritime tradition, symbolizing good fortune, safe voyages, and protection for the vessel and all who serve aboard.

Puerto Rico is the tenth and final tugboat in Great Lakes Towing Company’s fleet renewal program, a major investment initiative focused on modernizing the company’s historic fleet with safer, more efficient, and environmentally conscious vessels.

Built in Cleveland to Damen Stan Tug 1907 ICE design by sister company Great Lakes Shipyard, the Puerto Rico joins a growing fleet of state-of- the-art harbor tugs engineered to provide reliable ship assistance, towing, and icebreaking services throughout the Great Lakes region. These vessels feature improved performance, enhanced crew accommodations, increased efficiency, and reduced environmental impact.

Great Lakes Towing says the christening of the new tug also celebrates the company’s continued relationship with the broader U.S. maritime industry. With Sara Fuentes serving as sponsor, the event highlighted the shared commitment among maritime leaders to strengthen American shipping, support the Jones Act, and promote the future of the domestic maritime workforce.