The relationship between boatbuilder Verret Shipyard and boat owner Blessey Marine Services, Harahan, La., is a strong one. The Plaquemine, La.-based shipyard in late February delivered the 70'x30'x10'8" twin-screw towboat Capt. Troy Green to Blessey.

The delivery takes the Blessey fleet to over 80 vessels. The boat was christened on March 4 on the Mississippi River in New Orleans.

Sporting a draft of 8'6", the new towboat, which has a GRT of 185, is powered by twin Cummins QSK19 diesel engines, producing 660 hp at 1,800 rpm each, connected to Kahlenberg 4-bladed stainless steel 74"x58" wheels through Reintjes WAF-374 marine gears with 7.1:1 reduction ratios. The Troy Green will operate on the the Mississippi and GIWW.

Capacities include 20,000 gals. of fuel and approximately 14,800 gals. potable water.

Ship’s service power comes from two Cummins QSB7-DM gensets, sparking 85 kW of electrical power each.

The wheelhouse has an air draft of 49'11" (mast up) and 43'11" (mast down), an eye level of 33'6" and a custom hydraulic dual electro-hydraulic full follow up/non follow up steering system. The electronics suite features two Furuno radar, AIS, GPS, Depth Sounder, SAT Compass, Intercom/PA, Weather Station, three Icom VHS and DeHart Swingmeter.

On deck are two Patterson 40-ton electric winches while down below are five staterooms featuring seven berths.

Ancillary equipment includes a Blue Box Voyage Recording System, twin 500 watt Carlisle & Finch remote control Xenon spotlights, Eagle fire detection system, Herbert Hiller CO2 system, ERO aluminum weatherproof doors, Baton Rouge Marine Electric alarms and automation, including an incapacitated wheelman alarm, and Schuyler fender and bumper system.

Ken Hocke has been the senior editor of WorkBoat since 1999. He was the associate editor of WorkBoat from 1997 to 1999. Prior to that, he was the editor of the Daily Shipping Guide, a transportation daily in New Orleans. He has written for other publications including The Times-Picayune. He graduated from Louisiana State University with an arts and sciences degree, with a concentration in English, in 1978.