Horizon delivers another towboat to FMT

JUNE 9, 2014 — Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc., Bayou La Batre, AL, has delivered a seventh 140 ft towboat for Florida Marine Transporters (FMT), Mandeville, LA.

Named for long-time FMT Captain, Phillip Box, the M/V Capt. Phillip Box was launched in April, 2014 at Horizon’s Bayou La Batre shipyard using its 600 metric ton TraveLift, one of the largest on the Gulf Coast.

Designed by John Gilbert, the 140 ft long by 42 ft wide towboat has a 9 ft 6in draft. Its two Cat C-280 6-cylinder engines develop a total 5,400 hp and drive Sound propellers through Lufkin gearboxes. Two Cat C-9 generators supply ship’s power.

The steering system is provided by EMI. Fire suppression and detection systems are by Hiller Systems. Motor control centers and main switchboard were ordered through Mayer Electric; general alarms are by Gulf Coast Air & Hydraulics.

The interior package was by Kern Martin Services, and the vessel comfortably accommodates a pilot, master, engineer, and six crewmembers.

Horizon’s Project Manager, Terry Freeman says this latest delivery will be another strong addition to FMT’s fleet.

Horizon says it continues its seven-plus year partnership with FMT in its “relentless pursuit of excellence.” On the heels of the delivery of the M/V Capt. Phillip Box, is FMT’s 4,000 hp 120 ft series and Horizon says it is proud that Jeff Brumfield, FMT’s new construction manager, chose it to build FMT’s new 80 ft towboat equipped with Cat 3508 engines delivering 2200 hp, scheduled to enter the market in September, 2014.

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