Commercial Mariner - Tugs & Towage

VESSEL REVIEW | Isabella Juliette – Barge pusher enters service with Lydia Ann Channel Fleet

Baird Maritime

Lydia Ann Channel Fleet, a shipping company that serves customers via the inland waters of South Texas, recently took delivery of a new barge pushing tug from shipbuilder Eymard Marine Construction and Repair of Harvey, Louisiana.

Named Isabella Juliette, the new pusher tug measures 78 feet (23.7 metres) long and 34 feet (10.3 metres) wide and is powered by two Mitsubishi S6R2-Y3MPTAW engines that each produce 803 hp (598 kW) at 1,400 rpm. The engines drive two four-bladed propellers via Twin Disc MGX5321 gearboxes. Twin Disc also supplied the tug's EC600 electronic propulsion control system.

Photo: Eymard Marine Construction and Repair

Electrical power is supplied by two John Deere 99kW generators. The coolers for the engines, the generators, and the other machinery are from Duramax and R W Fernstrum.

The wheelhouse boasts an electronics suite consisting of two radars, a sounder and an AIS from Furuno, VHF radios from Standard, and an Alphatron Marine swing meter.

The deck equipment includes two winches and two roller buttons supplied by Patterson Manufacturing. The fendering was meanwhile provided by Schuyler Maritime.

The seven-strong crew have accommodations consisting of five cabins, four toilets, and a galley with a freezer/refrigerator. The interiors feature FRP wall panels, vinyl floors, and acoustic ceiling tiles for enhanced comfort.

Photo: Eymard Marine Construction and Repair
Isabella Juliette
SPECIFICATIONS
Type of vessel:Inland pusher tug
Flag:USA
Owner:Lydia Ann Channel Fleet, USA
Builder:Eymard Marine Construction and Repair, USA
Length overall:78 feet (23.7 metres)
Beam:34 feet (10.3 metres)
Main engines:2 x Mitsubishi S6R2-Y3MPTAW, each 803 hp (598 kW) at 1,400 rpm
Gearboxes:2 x Twin Disc MGX5321
Propulsion:2 x propellers
Generators:2 x John Deere, each 99 kW
Steering system:Twin Disc EC600
Radars:2 x Furuno
Depth sounder:Furuno
Radios:Standard VHF
AIS:Furuno
Other electronics:Alphatron Marine swing meter
Winches:Patterson Manufacturing
Other deck equipment:Patterson Manufacturing roller buttons
Fendering:Schuyler Maritime
Other equipment installed:Duramax coolers; R W Fernstrum coolers
Accommodation:5 x cabins; 4 x toilets; galley
Crew:7
Operational area:South Texas, USA