New name for McAsphalt tug

Making its way from the Great Lakes to Halifax for the first time this year, an articulated tug/barge arrived at the McAsphalt jetty in Eastern Passage this afternoon. As of January this year the tug is now named Leo A McArthur in honour of one of the McAsphalt founders. It is paired with the barge John J Carrick, named for the McAsphalt co-founder.

Leo A McArthur has rounded Ives Knoll and is passing Indian Point on its way up Eastern Passage.

The pair were built by Penglai Bohai Shipyard Co Ltd in Shandong, China in 2007 and are connected by the Articouple system that allows the tug to pitch independently, but remains connected except in the most extreme weather conditions. It is equipped to tow the barge if necessary.

 Taking the way off, the combo begins to turn in the small basin off the McAsphalt dock.

As built, the 5,000 bhp tug was named Victorious, after a famous Great Lakes bulker, once operated by the Upper Lakes Shipping Co Ltd. Upper Lakes managed the McAsphalt fleet, until 2011 when the company sold its ships and was wound up. McAsphalt Marine Transportation Ltd now manages the McAsphalt fleet which also includes the articulated tug/barge combo Everlast / Norman McLeod.
Both units normally operate on the Great Lakes and St.Lawrence River, but the McArthur / Carrick combo usually makes a few coastal trips each year.

Using a bow thruster on the barge and its own twin screws, the Leo A McArthur powers a turn to allow it to back into the dock.

 The tug's stern is heavily fendered and there is a large strong back on the fan tail for towing. The wheelhouse also has excellent visibility aft. 

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