Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur Christens Tugboat HANDY-THREE in Vessel Naming Ceremony

Cleveland, Ohio – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Representative of Northern Ohio’s Ninth Congressional District, was the Sponsor and Principal Speaker for the naming ceremony for the tugboat HANDY-THREE at Great Lakes Shipyard.

“She is here today because of her sponsorship and commitment to small shipyards,” remarked Ron Rasmus, President, The Great Lakes Group. Kaptur has championed the passage and funding of the Assistance to Small Shipyards Grant Program which makes grants for capital and related improvements for qualified small shipyard facilities to foster efficiency, competitive operations, and quality ship construction and repair. Great Lakes Shipyard has been the recipient of such grants.

The HANDY-THREE is the third of a class of Handy Size tugboats designed by Jensen Maritime Consultants, Seattle, Washington and built at Great Lakes Shipyard. Specifically for harbor and coastal towing, the “HANDYSIZE” Class fills the market niche in the 2,000 - 4,000 horse power tug market for harbor work, fireboats, and construction operations as well as for coastal barge towing. All three boats have been sold to Caribbean and Central American buyers in Great Lakes Shipyard’s competition with other international shipyards.

The Great Lakes Shipyard, a division of The Great Lakes Towing Company, has a full-service shipyard with a 770-ton Travelift and a 250-ton dry dock. The Company is currently in the fourth and final phase of its Shipyard Expansion Project which is to be completed by July, 2014. The Great Lakes Towing Company operates a fleet of over 35 tug boats throughout the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Towing Company and Shipyard prides itself on a legacy of over 113 years of continuous business.

To learn more about the Company, visit www.thegreatlakesgroup.com.