Clar Vautier photo used with permission.
McKeil Marine's tug Leonard M. is getting a new elevated wheelhouse while in refit in St.John's, NL.
Built as Point Halifax for Eastern Canada Towing in 1986 the tug seldom ventured outside of Halifax Harbour for many years, because it was not considered a great sea-boat. However as newer tugs came on line it was used more and more outside, and in its last years with Svitzer/Ectug it ventured as far north as Hudson's Bay and Rankin Inlet and as far south as the Bahamas.
Built by McTay Marine in Bromborough, England, the tug is rated at 4,200 bhp with a pair of Ruston/English Electrics driving z-drives. It was the pioneering z-drive on the east coast of Canada and was built of very good stuff. In addition to the ship handling winch forward, it is fitted with a towing winch (enclosed in the deck house extension) stern roller and full towing gear. Its after deck was also sized to accommodate two 20 foot ISO containers.
Since being acquired by McKeil the tug has operated from the Great Lakes to Newfoundland and beyond in barge service, and it looks that will continue with addition of the bird house.