ESG launches post-Michael tug

Eastern Shipbuilding Group of Panama City, Fla., announced Dec. 7 the launch of the 100-foot escort/rescue Z-drive tug Ava M. McAllister for McAllister Towing & Transportation Co. – just 58 days after Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle. It is currently under construction at one of Eastern’s two facilities. The vessel arrived at Eastern earlier this year and is scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2019. The lead vessel of this four-vessel series is the Capt. Brian McAllister, which was delivered in Summer 2017, and built by Horizon Shipbuilding of Bayou La Batre, Ala. (Source: Work Boat 12/12/18) Horizon was acquired in June by Metal Shark shipyards of Jeanerette/Franklin, La. The Horizon yard was renamed Metal Shark Alabama.