VT Halter Marine Inc. has delivered the 130'x38'x22', 6,000-hp, twin-screw tug Frederick E. Bouchard, to Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc. The boat, which will be part of an articulated tug/barge unit, was built at Halter’s Pascagoula, Miss., shipyard, and the delivery culminates a two-vessel contract awarded by Bouchard to VT Halter Marine in August 2014.
Main propulsion comes from twin EMD 12-710G7C-T3 engines, producing 3,000 hp at 900 rpm each. The diesels are connected to 140"x94" wheels through 5-bladed Lufkin RS2800HG vertical offset marine gears with 4.9:1 reduction ratios. The propulsion package gives the tug a bollard pull of 83.44 short tons and a running speed of 14 knots.
The Frederick E. Bouchard underwent sea trials on June 1, 2016. The first vessel of the contract, Morton S. Bouchard Jr., was delivered to Bouchard on Feb. 1, 2016, and is currently in service throughout the coastwise trade. The new tug is named after another Bouchard family member, the brother of Morton S. Bouchard Jr., and will also be joining Bouchard’s fleet servicing the coastwise trade. These vessels are both equipped with an Intercon coupler system and are ABS classed as Maltese Cross A1 Ocean Towing, Dual Mode ATB, USCG certified, Subchapter C.
“I am proud to announce the delivery of the…Frederick E. Bouchard, as it marks the conclusion of our major fleet expansion plan in partnership with our dear friends at VT Halter Marine,” said Morton S. Bouchard III, the marine company’s president and CEO. “This vessel joins our fleet alongside the recent deliveries of the…Morton S. Bouchard Jr., and our two newest ATB units…Kim M. Bouchard and B. No. 270 and…Donna J. Bouchard and B. No. 272. Together, these vessels work to define Bouchard as a state of the art, fuel-efficient, and safe operation, which will better serve our customers and crew for years to come.”
Ship’s service power comes from three John Deere 6068AFM85 generator-drive engines, sparking 99 kW of electrical power each.
Tankage includes 150,000 gals. of fuel in 10 tanks; 60,000 gals. ballast in six tanks; 11,000 gals. lube oil; and 11,000 gals. potable water.
The tug also features steering gear by Engine Monitor Inc., Kongsberg K-Bridge navigation system and Furuno electronics suite.
On deck are twin Intercon capstans, a Pallfinger rescue boat and davit, and two 20-man Viking life rafts capable of handling a 10-person crew.
