ACBL introduces new 200' towboat in rare nighttime christening

American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL), Jeffersonville, Ind., christened its new 200'x50'x12'6" towboat Mariner on the Mississippi River in an out-of-the-ordinary ceremony in New Orleans. Company officials said Mariner is the largest towboat to be built in the U.S. in 50 years. 

Constructed by C&C Marine and Repair, Belle Chasse, La., the 11,000-hp boat has an operating draft of 11'6", eight 65-ton winches, dual steering and flanking rudders, and can adjust its operating draft by up to 18" to navigate shallow waters during low-river levels.

The boat was designed by CT Marine, Edgecomb, Maine. The Mariner is the largest towboat "on the planet," Christian Townsend, CT Marine's owner, said in a WorkBoat interview earlier this year. (Townsend was unable to be in New Orleans for the christening.)

"We have spent four years and 24,000-plus hours of engineering on this project. She is the largest twin screw ever built for the rivers," Townsend said.

Main propulsion comes from twin Caterpillar C280-12 diesel engines connected to Hung Shin 5-bladed wheels through Reinjes WAF 6755 marine gears supplied by Karl Senner. Steering and controls are the responsibility of CT Marine's TwinDIFF system.

Capacities include 117,192 gals. of fuel oil; 17,250 gals. consumable potable water; 161,585 non-consumable water; 506 gals. hydraulic oil; 2,300 gals. coolant; and a 513 gal. genset day tank. Additionally, Mariner has accommodations for a 12-person crew and is fitted with a single guest room.

The new towboat is ABS certified and USCG classed, Subchapter M.

The festivities began about 6 p.m. following the first day of the International WorkBoat Show. The ceremony took place at Mardi Gras World and featured the traditional breaking of the bottle on the boat’s bow, a lavish fireworks show, and a mini-parade, followed by a party to rival an upscale wedding reception.

“Mariner represents all mariners, from the deckhand to our most experienced captain,” ACBL’s CEO Mike Ellis told the crowd. “This boat is not just a vessel. It’s a home” to the mariners who operate it.

Ellis said the contract to build the boat was signed in 2022 and was scheduled to be delivered in 2025. But during Mariner’s construction, Ellis got a call from Tony Cibilich, C&C Marine’s owner, asking him if he would have a christening party during this year’s WorkBoat Show if the yard could deliver the boat in time. There would be no additional cost to ACBL except that Cibilich wanted a big christening party to mark the occasion. Turns out, Cibilich delivered the boat, and Ellis delivered on the party.

 

The Mariner’s main propulsion comes from twin Caterpillar C280 diesel engines. The big Cats connect to 124" wheels — the largest in the industry, according to ACBL.

The boat can push up to 64 barges carrying more than 75,000 tons of cargo in a single tow. And Mariner’s size increases efficiency by 20% compared to smaller boats, ACBL officials said, adding that the boat is the company’s new flagship vessel, designed to exceed industry standards in power, efficiency, and reliability.