Master Boat Builders, Coden, Ala., has delivered Defiant, the third of eight tugboats under construction for New Orleans-based Maritime Partners.
The 88' tug will support ship-assist, escort and towing operations. Five vessels remain under contract in the series.
“The delivery of Defiant marks the third tug in our eight-vessel series for Maritime Partners, but it also reflects the steady pace of work at Master Boat Builders,” said Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders. “We’re delivering a tug from our yard every six weeks, and that’s a testament to our skilled shipbuilders and strong partners who know how to get boats built here in the United States. This is good old-fashioned Gulf Coast shipbuilding—hardworking people, pride in the craft, and a commitment to delivering quality vessels on time.”
The series is based on the Robert Allan Ltd. RApport 2700-MP design. Defiant measures 88'x43'x16.5', has a draft of 19.5', and delivers more than 99 short tons of bollard pull.
Defiant’s propulsion package includes twin Caterpillar 3516E main engines supplied by Thompson Marine, each rated at 3,500 hp at 1,800 rpm under Caterpillar’s intermittent-duty “D” rating. The engines drive Steerprop azimuthing units supplied by Karl Senner LLC, fitted with approximately 118" fixed-pitch, four-bladed stainless-steel propellers.
Equipment aboard Defiant includes a Markey Machine DEPCF-52 75-hp electric Class II hawser winch. The design also allows for a Markey DESF-48A 100-hp electric Class III escort winch. Beier Integrated Systems provided ship service systems and control integration.
Defiant has a top speed of approximately 13 knots, accommodations for six, and tank capacities of approximately 24,000 gals. of fuel, 2,000 gals. of fresh water and 1,500 gals. of diesel exhaust fluid.
According to Master Boat Builders, Defiant is classified as an A1 Escort Tug and Towing Vessel, with Automated Machinery System (AMS) and Underwater Inspection in Lieu of Drydocking (UWILD) certifications, FFV1 firefighting capability and a Low Emissions Vessel (LEV) designation under U.S. standards.
“Our partnership with Master Boat is an important part of our continued investment in modern, dependable marine assets,” said Bick Brooks, CEO of Maritime Partners. “With each vessel in this series, their team continues to demonstrate the quality and craftsmanship we value in a shipbuilding partner. We’re proud to welcome Defiant to our fleet and look forward to continuing this program together.”
The series began with Marauder, followed by Titan, which was launched earlier this year. Master Boat Builders said deliveries will continue through completion of the eight-vessel program.
