Tug News from Quebec

Groupe Océan of Quebec City is conducting trials on the new tug Ocean Serge Genois at their shipyard Industries Océan at Ile-aux-Coudres, QC. The new tug is based on the Robert Allan design originally used to build Ocean Jupiter and Ocean Intrepide , and well as the Point Valiant and a fourth tug exported to Mexico. The design was modified for a second generation, of which Ocean Georgie Bain was delivered last year. It is distinguished by a larger wheelhouse.
All these tugs were built at Ile-aux-Coudres, and are ASD types, with 4,000 bhp high speed diesel engines. Ownership of the Ocean Serge Genois is vested with the Industries Ocean yard, of which M. Genois is the guiding force.

Meanwhile at East Isle Shipyard in Georgetown, PE, the first of two new buildings for Groupe Océan has been named Ocean Yvan Desgagnes. The 5,000 bhp ice class ASD tug is still under construction and will be delivered later in the year. Interestingly the tug is named for Yvan Desgagnés, scion of the well known shipping family from St-Joseph-de-la-Rive, QC. Transport Desgagnés and its many subsdiaries is no longer controlled by the Desgagnés family and Yvan Desgagnés is now well known for his work to promote the Musée Maritime de Charlevoix at St-Joseph-de-la-Rive.
Ownership of the new tug is listed as Location Océan Inc., which is the rental arm of Groupe Océan. It is thus anticipated that the tug will be leased to a third party and operated on its behalf by Groupe Océan. This was expected to be a Baffinland iron mine, but that project has been delayed.