Ledcor Awards B.C. Tug Construction Contract

August 14, 2014
News Release
Management

Ledcor’s Marine Division has awarded the construction of two A.G. Mc- Ilwain-designed tugs to Bracewell Marine Group, Richmond, B.C. The two tugs will be built concurrently at Bracewell’s Shelter Island shipyard facility on the South Arm of the Fraser River. Delivery is expected in 11 months.

The tugs will principally be used on the Fraser River to support Ledcor’s 10-year contract with Mainland Sand & Gravel, transporting aggregates on barges from the mainland facility at Cox to various depots on the Fraser River beginning in January 2016.

The vessels will be 48 ft. long with a 22.5-ft. beam and 10-ft. depth, accommodating two crew members. Two Caterpillar C18 Acert diesel engines will power the craft.

The tug designer, A.G. “Al” McIlwain, has been a designer and integral part of the tug and barge industry in British Columbia and the U.S. for more than 45 years. He was working on the final design drawings for these vessels when he died in May at the age of 82. His son, Stephen McIlwain, completed the design work and submissions to Transport Canada for regulatory review and approval.

“We feel very fortunate to work with Stephen and the McIlwain family, and to continue the proud tradition of tug building in British Columbia by partnering with Bracewell Marine Group,” said Mark Houghton, COO for Ledcor’s Marine Division.