Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. Launches the LAURA B for Bay-Houston Towing Co.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of the Escort Tug Laura B (Hull 254) for Bay-Houston Towing Co. on July 1, 2016. A series of four (4) Robert Allan, LTD. (RAL) designed Z-Tech 2400 Class Terminal & Escort Tugs is currently under construction at Eastern’s Nelson Street facility. The LAURA B is scheduled to deliver in 2016.

The launch ceremony was held at Eastern’s Nelson Street facility and hosted by Patrick D’Isernia, Project Manager at Eastern, with employees and guests in attendance. Patrick praised the Eastern employees for all their hard work and G&H Towing for their commitment to the project. Deacon Tim Warner of St. John’s Catholic Church of Panama City, FL. blessed the vessel. Kingsley Reeves, daughter of ESG Project Manager, England Reeves, had the honor of christening the vessel.

The Laura B (Hull #254) is the last of a series of four (4) Z-Tech Class Terminal & Escort Tugs being constructed for Bay-Houston Towing Co. The H. Douglas M (Hull #236), Zyana K (Hull #238) and David B (Hull #239) delivered earlier this year. Eastern is also constructing simultaneously an identical series, of the same design for Suderman & Young Towing Company. G&H Towing Company is the Owners’ onsite Representative and Agent during the engineering, construction and delivery for both Bay-Houston and Suderman & Young Towing companies.

Robert Allan, LTD (RAL) of Vancouver, B.C. has provided the Z-Tech 2400 Class Terminal & Escort Tugs design and engineering. G&H Towing's fleet currently consists of eight “Z-Tech” tugs in operation. This “Z-Tech” incorporates the latest technology for escort service and ship assist.