Coden, Ala.-based Master Boat Builders Inc. has delivered Defiant, the third of eight tugboats being built for Maritime Partners LLC under a multi-vessel construction program. The 88-foot vessel is classified as an A1 Escort Tug and Towing Vessel, carrying AMS (Automated Machinery System) and UWILD (Underwater Inspection in Lieu of Drydocking) certifications, FFV1 fire-fighting capability, and a Low Emissions Vessel (LEV) designation under U.S. standards. According to TrustedDocks orderbook data, the order for the eight-vessel series was placed in August 2023, with each tug, including Defiant, having a deadweight of 208 tons. Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders, said the delivery reflects the yard's steady production pace, with a new tug leaving the facility roughly every six weeks. He credited the pace to the shipyard's workforce and its partnership with Maritime Partners, describing the program as representative of Gulf Coast shipbuilding tradition. Bick Brooks, CEO of Maritime Partners, said the partnership with Master Boat Builders supports the company's ongoing investment in modern marine assets, adding that each vessel in the series has demonstrated the craftsmanship expected from the shipbuilding partner. Defiant will now join Maritime Partners' fleet to support towing, escort, and marine support operations. Five additional tugs remain under contract as part of the eight-vessel series, with deliveries expected to continue on the established schedule through the program's completion.
