NEW 4,300 HP AZIMUTH STERN DRIVE HARBOR TUG NOW IN SERVICE IN PUERTO RICO

Bristol, RI - - July 6, 2007 - - The new 4,300 hp Harbor Tug Hector P. is now in service in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico. The vessel was launched at Orange Shipbuilding (Orange, TX) in December 2006; construction and outfitting were completed with the vessel afloat. The crew departed in June for the weeklong delivery trip from Texas to Puerto Rico aboard the new vessel.

The tug is 99’ x 36’ x 17’ and is equipped with two Schottel SRP 1212 FP Z-Drives, driven by remanufactured EMD 12-645-E7 medium-speed diesel engines. The vessel is classed ABS Maltese Cross A1 Towing Vessel, with ½ of ABS FiFi Class 1 requirements. It has capabilities for tanker escort services as well as ship towing.

Construction oversight services were provided by Bristol Harbor Group. According to Mr. Hector Padilla of South Puerto Rico Towing, they were “completely satisfied with how Bristol Harbor Group managed the project in an organized way and with a well trained team. The successful construction of the Hector P. would not have been possible without assistance and supervision of Daniela Hanson and the Bristol Harbor Group team.”

Robert Allen, Inc. of Vancouver, BC designed the Hector P., a Ramparts 3000 Class tug. Financing for the project was provided by Western Bank of Puerto Rico.