Moran Towing Company, New Canaan, Conn., held a christening ceremony for three new high-horsepower tractor tugs, the George James Moran, Patricia B. Moran, and Paul T. Moran, on June 20, in Norfolk, Va.
Delivered in 2024, all three azimuth stern drive tugs have entered daily operations along the U.S. East Coast. Each tug delivers at least 67 tons of bollard pull.
Each vessel measures 86' with a 16' draft and is powered by twin Tier 4 Caterpillar 3512 engines, producing a combined 5,100 hp. All are equipped with Kongsberg US 205 Z-drives, Markey DEPCF-48 bow winches and certified by ABS as ✠A1, ✠AMS, Towing Vessel, Escort Vessel, LEV (Low Emission Vessel), and UWILD (Underwater Inspection in Lieu of Drydocking).
The Paul T. Moran and George James Moran, built by Washburn & Doughty Associates Inc., Boothbay, Maine, include firefighting systems with two monitors and a 3,000+ gpm pump. Both are outfitted with non-marking submarine fendering and a hydraulic brow ramp to support both commercial harbor operations and specialized work for the Navy.
The Patricia B. Moran, built by Master Boat Builders Inc., Coden, Ala., shares the same high-performance standards and crew-focused design, Moran said.
"Every detail of these tugs was designed not only to meet the evolving demands of larger vessels now calling at ports along the East and Gulf Coasts, but also to better support and protect the crews on board," the company said.
Each tug honors a person whose legacy is meaningful to Moran. The Paul T. Moran is named for Paul Tregurtha, longtime chairman of the board. The George James Moran honors George James Marcou, grandson of James R. Barker, Moran’s vice chairman of the board. The Patricia B. Moran is named for Patricia Bouley, wife of longtime Moran executive and former CFO Jeff McAulay.
