Conrad will build tugboats for Corps of Engineers

Conrad Shipyard announced Thursday that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers for the design and construction of two CELRE Detroit Ice Class tugboats. The vessels will provide mobilization of various pieces of floating equipment on the St. Mary’s River, upper Great Lakes, and the Soo Harbor, as well as breaking ice up to 12 inches thick and performing ice scraping operations at the St. Mary’s Falls Canal.

“Conrad has a long history with the US Army Corps of Engineers, and we have built several vessels currently in service around the country,” said Conrad Shipyard CEO Johnny Conrad. “We are proud to provide the Army Corps with two more
top quality vessels to service its Detroit District.”

The CELRE Detroit Ice Class Tugboats measure 76 feet by 25 feet by 10 feet 8.5 inches ” and are ABS classed as Maltese Cross A-1 Towing Vessels, Ice Class C0, Great Lakes Service with Maltese Cross AMS.

Each vessel shall also comply with USCG 46 CFR SubChapter M requirements. The tugs are diesel powered, twin screw, open wheel, with 1,600 BHP and have deckhouses with galley/mess, berths, and sanitary facilities for a crew of three.