Steiner Shipyard Building Pair Of 4,000 Hp. Towboats For FMT

Currently under construction at Steiner Shipyard, located in Bayou la Batre, Ala., are two 4,000 hp. towboats for Florida Marine Transporters LLC, Mandeville, La. Designed by Gilbert and Associates, one of the boats will be of conventional design, while the other will be retractable.

To be named Jesse D. Pasentine and Victoria Pasentine after the children of Florida Marine’s president, Dennis J. Pasentine, the boats are scheduled for completion during the fourth quarter of 2026.

Both will measure 130- by 35- by 11 feet, 6 inches and will be equipped with Harrington kort nozzles. The boats will be powered by a pair of CAT 3512C Tier 3 diesels each rated 2,011 hp. at 1,600 rpm. Reduction gears will be NICO model MGB1247 with a 7.31:1 ratio. Two John Deere 6090 Tier 3 generators will provide auxiliary power.

Each boat will have air conditioned and heated quarters for nine crewmen.

Featured photo caption: The Jesse D. Pasentine, one of two 4,000 hp. towboats under construction for Florida Marine Transporters LLC, is taking shape at Steiner Shipyard in Bayou La Batre, Ala. The sister vessels are scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2026. (Photo courtesy of Steiner Shipyard)