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The collaboration between Master Boat Builders and the Gulf LNG Partnership consortium has culminated in the delivery of tugboat Jill, a vessel that joins the support fleet at a strategic moment for liquefied natural gas exports.
Technical Capabilities of Tugboat Jill
The delivered unit corresponds to the Rapport 2800 series, developed by naval architecture firm Robert Allan. This support vessel features a length of 92 feet and a beam of 40 feet, dimensions optimized for maneuvering in complex port environments. A fundamental aspect of its design is its bollard pull capacity, which exceeds 85 metric tons. This power level ensures that Jill can handle the deep-draft tanker vessels operating at North American LNG terminals.
The integrity of operations at marine terminals depends directly on support equipment. Therefore, tugboat Jill incorporates advanced firefighting systems under the ABS Fire Fighting Vessel 1 classification. Garret Rice, president of Master Boat Builders, has noted that the combination of the shipyard’s technical capability and the operational experience of Gulf LNG partners enables the delivery of vessels that meet the most demanding performance requirements. Additionally, this unit represents the sixth delivery of its series, reaffirming the continuity of a design proven under actual working conditions.
Gulf LNG’s operational capability is supported by a track record that totals centuries of experience in the towing sector among its member companies. With the incorporation of this second identical vessel for its specific operations, the consortium optimizes its response capacity at the four terminals where it provides service. The delivery of this port assistance vessel ensures a safe and efficient working environment for global energy transportation. Master Boat Builders reaffirms its position as a pillar in American shipbuilding by delivering tools that sustain the energy supply chain.
Source and photo: Master Boat Builders