Decades-Long Relationship Celebrated Between MBB, Thompson Tractor Company and Caterpillar

Master Boat Builders, Inc. earlier this fall commemorated its longstanding relationship with Thompson Tractor and Caterpillar at its Coden, Ala. shipyard. Over Master Boat Builders’ longstanding 34-year relationship with Thompson Tractor, the yard has constructed more than 200 workboats, tugboats, and maritime vessels with Caterpillar engines.

“Master Boat Builders is thrilled to commemorate our 34-year business relationship with Thompson Tractor and Caterpillar marine power systems,” said Garrett Rice, President of Master Boat Builders, “Throughout our many years working together, we’ve built over 200 reliable vessels for top maritime operators throughout the United States and across the world and we look forward to continued success with, Thompson Tractor and Caterpillar.”

“Master Boat Builders can count on Thompson Tractor to deliver world-class solutions. From Caterpillar engines and Berg Propulsion systems, to heavy equipment, lift trucks and rentals, we partner with Master Boat Builders in every step of the shipbuilding process. From one family-owned business to another, we are committed to supporting them every step of the way,” said Lucy Thompson Marsh, President and CEO of Thompson Tractor Co., Inc. 

“Caterpillar is proud to be Master Boat Builders’ marine power and equipment manufacturer of choice for more than three decades. We are excited to continue working together for decades to come,” Caterpillar Marine General Manager Derrick York and Caterpillar Defense General Manager Jay Walton said in a joint statement. “We are bringing innovative power solutions from the latest EPA tier engines and emission reduction solutions to hybrid drive systems and beyond, as we remain committed to supporting them well into the future.”

Decades-Long Relationship Celebrated Between MBB, Thompson Tractor Company and Caterpillar

Master Boat Builders, Inc. earlier this fall commemorated its longstanding relationship with Thompson Tractor and Caterpillar at its Coden, Ala. shipyard. Over Master Boat Builders’ longstanding 34-year relationship with Thompson Tractor, the yard has constructed more than 200 workboats, tugboats, and maritime vessels with Caterpillar engines.

“Master Boat Builders is thrilled to commemorate our 34-year business relationship with Thompson Tractor and Caterpillar marine power systems,” said Garrett Rice, President of Master Boat Builders, “Throughout our many years working together, we’ve built over 200 reliable vessels for top maritime operators throughout the United States and across the world and we look forward to continued success with, Thompson Tractor and Caterpillar.”

“Master Boat Builders can count on Thompson Tractor to deliver world-class solutions. From Caterpillar engines and Berg Propulsion systems, to heavy equipment, lift trucks and rentals, we partner with Master Boat Builders in every step of the shipbuilding process. From one family-owned business to another, we are committed to supporting them every step of the way,” said Lucy Thompson Marsh, President and CEO of Thompson Tractor Co., Inc. 

“Caterpillar is proud to be Master Boat Builders’ marine power and equipment manufacturer of choice for more than three decades. We are excited to continue working together for decades to come,” Caterpillar Marine General Manager Derrick York and Caterpillar Defense General Manager Jay Walton said in a joint statement. “We are bringing innovative power solutions from the latest EPA tier engines and emission reduction solutions to hybrid drive systems and beyond, as we remain committed to supporting them well into the future.”

Master Boat Builders, Inc. (MBB), together with naval architect and marine engineering firm, Robert Allan Ltd. (RAL) today announced the creation of a new battery hybrid tugboat design, the ElectRA 3000-H. This design has been developed over the past several months to suit the evolving needs of U.S. tugboat operators.

“This unique hybrid tugboat design is the result of a strong and growing working relationship between Robert Allan Ltd. and Master Boat Builders and it builds upon our recent experience constructing multiple hybrid tugboats and a battery-powered tugboat for leading maritime operators.” said Garrett Rice, President of Master Boat Builders, “With vast global experience designing many of the world’s top workboats, RAL has been a fantastic teammate for MBB on numerous innovative, modern and reliable tugboat projects for our customers across the country.”

Throughout their long-standing relationship, MBB has delivered several RAL-designed vessels, with seven RAL-designed tugboats currently under construction.

“Master Boat Builders is a key shipyard with a proven history of providing numerous high-quality, innovative vessels to a wide range of operators” said Lawren Best, Director of Design Development of Robert Allan Ltd. “We are pleased to utilize our hybrid and battery vessel experience in collaboration with MBB to bring to market this flexible de-risked battery electric hybrid design developed specifically for the requirements of U.S. operators.”

Based on a proven RAL hybrid tug design, the ElectRA 3000-H has evolved to feature up to 2000 kWh of batteries and a boosted bollard pull of 80MT. With zero emissions during loitering and low speed transits, tugboats constructed under this design will greatly reduce carbon emissions and enhance sustainable maritime operations. To ensure operators can retain the flexibility to operate continuously, the tugboat’s main engines and generators both have the ability to charge the tugboat’s batteries and when required provide a continuous bollard pull of over 65MT.

Master Boat Builders, Inc. today announced that on November 1, 2021, Spartan, an electric-hybrid tugboat was launched. Delivery of this modern and unique tug, built at MBB’s Coden, Ala., yard for Seabulk, is planned for January 2022.

“Master Boat Builders is proud to launch this technologically-advanced hybrid tugboat, which is the latest in a series of innovative and alternative-powered work boats that we are constructing as the maritime industry continues to modernize its fleet,” said Garrett Rice, President of Master Boat Builders, “With a collaborative design, engineering, and building approach from the start, we were pleased to work with our partners to develop and build this new tugboat for Seabulk.”

The vessel has overall length of 98 feet, beam of 43 feet, and bollard pull of 90 tons. The integrated hybrid propulsion system was provided by Thompson Tractor and includes two EPA Tier 4 certified Caterpillar 3512E main engines, each producing 2,550 horsepower and two Berg MTA 628 azimuth thrusters, three Caterpillar generators and two ABB propulsion motors and associated variable frequency drives.

“We are pleased to welcome the Spartan hybrid tugboat to our fleet. She represents both the excellent workmanship of Master Boat Builders and Seabulk’s steadfast commitment to improving the sustainability of its operations through technological advancement,” said Daniel Thorogood, Chief Executive Officer of Seabulk. “She is the first of two purpose-built Diesel-Electric hybrid vessels commissioned to reduce our future carbon emissions,” he continued.

Spartan was designed by Robert Allan Naval Architects & Marine Engineers. The tug will be built to meet USCG regulations and will be classed through the American Bureau of Shipping, including escort notation.