USA: Donjon Shipbuilding Christens New Articulated Tug-Barge

On Tuesday, Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair officials christened the tugboat Ken Boothe Sr. and the barge Lakes Contender. Ellen Boothe, wife of the late Donjon’s president Ken Boothe, christened the tugboat, and State Sen. Jane Earll, of Fairview Township, R-49th District, christened the Lakes Contender barge.

According to Goerie.com, the articulated barge-tug combination is the first such vessel built in Erie since 1972.

The tugboat Ken Boothe Sr., with 135foot in length and 11,500 horsepower, was delivered in March 2011.

It was built along with the 740-foot-long, 39,000-ton Lakes Contender, a self-unloading barge capable of unloading 6,000 tons of cargo per hour.

Both vessels have been sold to Seajon LLC., a joint venture of Donjon Marine Co. and Seacore Holdings and in about a week will depart Erie shipyard.

Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair officials held the ceremony one day after they confirmed layoffs of about 30 Donjon employees and 20 subcontractors. This was the first time Donjon has reduced its workforce since it began operating in Erie early in 2010.

The opening of new workplaces will depend on new contracts.

[mappress]

Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, April 11, 2012;