Ledcor orders two tugs at B.C. shipyard

JULY 11, 2014 — The Marine Division of Canada’s Ledcor Resources and Transportation has awarded the construction of two A.G. McIlwain-designed tugs to Bracewell Marine Group Ltd. The two tugs will be built concurrently at the Bracewell shipyard facility at Shelter Island Marina located on the South Arm of the Fraser River in Richmond, B.C., and will be delivered in an 11 month time frame.

The tugs will principally be used on the Fraser River to support Ledcor’s 10-year contract with Mainland Sand & Gravel, transporting aggregates on new Ledcor barges from the Mainland facility at Cox to various depots on the Fraser River, beginning in January 2016.

The tug designer, A.G. “Al” McIlwain, was a designer and integral part of the tug and barge industry in British Columbia and in the U.S. for over 45 years. Al was working on final design drawings for these vessels when he passed away in May of this year at the age of 82. His son, Stephen McIlwain, completed the design work and submissions to Transport Canada for regulatory review and approval.

“We feel very fortunate to work with Stephen and the McIlwain family, and to continue the proud tradition of tug building in British Columbia by partnering with Bracewell Marine Group. Ltd.,” said Mark Houghton, Chief Operating Officer for Ledcor’s Marine Division.

Principal vessel characteristics:

48′ long x 22.5′ beam x 10′ depth, with accommodations for two crew members.
Propulsion by two Caterpillar C18 Acert diesel engines (total horsepower 1,324). IMO Tier II, EPA Tier 3.
Two Twin Disc MG 5170 transmissions, driving 64″ diameter x 72″ pitch propellers in nozzles.
The electrical system is provided by two Caterpillar C2.2, 30 kW generators
Towing via a Burrard Towing Winch accommodating 1500′ of 1-1/4″ wire, driven by a Caterpillar 3056 engine.