Echo Towing Christens The Mv. Capt. Tom Echols Sr.
By James P. Johnson and H. Nelson Spencer
Echo Towing Service Inc., Baytown, Texas, a barge and towing firm that operates in the spot market between Lake Charles, La., and Corpus Christi, Texas, recently put into service a new towboat, the mv. Capt. Tom Echols Sr., named after the company’s founder. The firm christened the new vessel, which is currently working in the Houston Ship Channel, in a ceremony held January 8 at the boardwalk in Kemah, Texas.
The Rev. Nancy Simpson of the Seamen’s Church Institute presented Bibles to the captain and crew at a well-attended reception following the christening. Rhonda Echols, president of Echo Marine, was the main speaker during the ceremony. She was accompanied by Ted Verret, president of Verret Shipyard, who was the guest speaker.
“Rhonda put so much faith and trust in us to construct her first-ever newbuild,” Verret said. “From one family-owned company to another, the Echol’s towboat was such a special project for us, and our goal was to deliver a vessel that achieved their needs on every level.”
“These types of construction projects become more of a partnership than anything,” Verret continued, “and we really value that relationship. We are honored that Rhonda put her trust in us to deliver a vessel so significant to her family legacy, and we’re going to support her and Echo Towing for as long as they’ll have us.”
Capt. Michael Nicholson broke the champagne bottle to christen the new boat. Other crewmembers at the christening were Channing Gibson, relief captain; Jerry Inman, pilot; and deckhands Alex Rodriguez, Logan Purdum and Zane Howard.
With completion of the new boat, Echo Towing decommissioned the original mv. Capt. Tom Echols Sr. and is using it for spare parts. Built in 1964, it was operated by several owners prior to Echo buying it in 2005, according to the Inland River Record. Other boats in the company’s fleet are the mvs. Nita E, Rhonda E and Tommy E, ranging from 1,100 to 1,400 hp.
Built by Verret Shipyard in Plaquemine, La., the new Capt. Tom Echols Sr. measures 65 by 26 by 10-1/2 feet with a 32-foot eye level and a design draft of 8 feet. It is powered by twin Cummins QSK19M diesel engines that are rated a total of 1,600 hp. at 1,800 rpm. The engines turn 76- by 58-inch props on 6-inch shafts through Twin Disc 5222 reduction gears at a 7:1 ratio. The vessel’s generators are rated 75 kw. The vessel, which meets Subchapter M requirements, was built to Tier 3 specifications.
Devall Diesel supplied the main engines, and Sewart Supply provided the reduction gears. Eagle Control Systems supplied the electrical and alarm systems, while the steering system was designed and installed by Custom Hydraulics. Wheelhouse Electronics supplied the electronic and communication equipment. Other suppliers included Dale’s Welding, which made the doors, and Schuyler Maritime, the fenders.
The Capt. Tom Echols Sr. features 10-foot cabins, berthing for six, two full heads and a full galley. The vessel was constructed with Verret’s sound proofing and insulation systems. All interior furnishings, moldings and joinery were custom built by Verret’s cabinetmakers to the owner’s specifications. Verret’s standard 65-foot hull, which has tankage for 19,000 gallons of fuel, was custom designed to meet Echo’s needs.
Tom Echols, who died in 2012 at age 82 while recovering from hip replacement surgery, started in the marine industry in 1951 as a deckhand with Bacon Marine. He moved up to the pilothouse and worked for Bacon for 22 years. He started Echo Towing in 1972 with a 300 hp. single-screw tug.
He continued to serve as president of the company until his death, at which time his daughter, Rhonda Echols, who had been handling daily operations, succeeded him as the company’s owner and president. She is one of the few women in the inland waterways industry to hold such a position.
Featured image caption: The mv. Capt. Tom Echols Sr., owned by Echo Towing Service in Baytown, Texas, is a 65 foot, 1,600 hp towboat built by Verret Shipyard. (Photo by Hunter Svetanics)
