‘Virginia’ became the United States’ first new towing vessel to receive a Certificate of Inspection (COI) since the implementation of 46 CFR Subchapter M.
The vessel, owned by Plimsoll Marine, was built by Blakeley BoatWorks in August and will operate within the Cooper Consolidated fleeting footprint, on the Lower Mississippi River. All three companies are part of the Cooper Group of companies.
In August 2018, Blakeley BoatWorks, located in the port of Mobile, Alabama, completed construction of M/V Virginia. Designed and built in one year, the 70-foot long, 28-foot wide, and 1,600 horse power vessel is both SIRE and 46 CFR Subchapter M-ready.
Plimsoll Marine is a push boat operator with a current fleet of 19 push boats that perform fleet work and barge delivery services from Baton Rouge, LA to Head of Passes on the Lower Mississippi River. Plimsoll Marine will operate the M/V Virginia on the Lower Mississippi River for Cooper Consolidated.
A new towing vessel is defined in 46 CFR Subchapter M Part 136.100 as, “…a towing vessel, subject to inspection under this subchapter that:
(1) Had its keel laid or was at a similar state of construction on or after July 20, 2017; or
(2) Underwent a major conversion that was initiated on or after July 20, 2017.”
The Blakeley BoatWorks team is proud to have constructed our nation’s first new inland towing vessel to receive a COI,
… said Tim Mire, Managing Director of Blakeley BoatWorks.
