Ledcor's Marine Division award Tug contract

(Photo: Ledcor)

Ledcor’s Marine Division announced that it has awarded the construction of two A.G. McIlwain-designed tugs to Bracewell Marine Group Ltd. The two tugs will be built concurrently at the Bracewell shipyard facility at Shelter Island Marina located on the South Arm of the Fraser River in Richmond, B.C., and will be delivered in an 11 month time frame. 

“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. Ltd.,” said Mark Houghton, Chief Operating Officer for Ledcor’s Marine Division.

Ledcor currently has a 10-year contract with Mainland Sand & Gravel to transport aggregates on new Ledcor barges from the Mainland facility to various depots on the Fraser River. This is set to being in January 2016, and the construction of two new tugs will be used primarily to support this endeavor.

The new vessels will be 48’ long x 22.5’ beam x 10’ depth. There will also be accommodations for two crew members. The tugs will be be fuelled by two Caterpillar C18 Acert diesel engines, with Two Twin Disc MG 5170 transmissions, driving 64” diameter x 72” pitch propellers in nozzles. The electrical system is provided by two Caterpillar C2.2, 30 kW generators

Towing with be available via a Burrard Towing Winch accommodating 1500’ of 1-1/4” wire, driven by a Caterpillar 3056 engine.

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

Bracewell is a family held business lead by Lance Bracewell (President), Kristina Bracewell (Chief Financial Officer), and General Manager Tim Bell.

For more information, visit www.ledcor.com.