Horizon Shipbuilding delivers towboat to FMT

Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc., Bayou La Batre, Ala, has delivered the third in a series of 120 ft towboats to Florida Marine Transporters of Mandeville, La.  The M/V Brees joins sister ships, M/V’s Capt. W. D. Nunley and Capt. Kirby Dupuis in pushing cargoes throughout the inland waterways of the United States.

“This boat is a true workhorse,” said Ben Forrest, Project Manager for the M/V Brees. “There were some challenges that we had to overcome during production because of the larger propulsion package but our guys really stepped up.  The boat ran great during sea trials and will be going to work immediately, which is a reflection of the superior skill of our craftsmen.”

Named after Superbowl XLIV Most Valuable Player, Drew Brees, the M/V Brees boasts nearly 5000 HP making it one of the most powerful towboats of its size.  Like its sister ships, the M/V Brees was designed by John Gilbert and is 120 ft long by 35 ft wide with a 10 ft draft.

The towboat is four-decked and is outfitted for service in areas with restricted to overhead clearances and draft limitations.  Two 2,450 hp C280 Caterpillar engines coupled to Lufkin reduction gears drive  ten inch shafts that turn five-blade, stainless steel propellers manufactured by Sound Propeller Services, Inc.and mounted in kort nozzles for maximum efficiency.  Auxiliary power is supplied by two 175 kW Caterpillar C9 generators.

Not only is the M/V Brees very powerful, it is also very comfortable.  During both design and construction, focus on crew comfort was paramount.  “We paid a lot of attention during the design phase to coming up with the most cost effective ways to reduce noise and vibration,” said Jeff Brumfield, New Construction Manager for FMT.  “We’re quite proud of our new fleet and Horizon has given us a smooth running boat in the M/V Brees.”

Horizon has performed several repair projects and is also building towboats for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Marine Transporters is its primary customer. 

“Our relationship with FMT is at the center of our new build strategy,” said Travis Short, Horizon’s President.  “During the economic downturn of the past few years our relationship with FMT grew very strong and we intend to make it even stronger.”

Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc. specializes in the design and construction of ships, boats, and barges up to 300 ft in length and 1500 tons launch weight for domestic and international clients.

August 18, 2011