August 25, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

As we approach our 120th year of continuous operation on the Mississippi River, Bisso Towboat Co., Inc. is pleased to announce the delivery of our new 4,000 HP ASD tractor tug 'Michael S.'

Constructed at Main Iron Works, Houma, LA, the 100' x 38' x 13.5' 'Michael S.' is powered by (2) Cat 3516B main engines, producing 2000 HP each at 1600 RPM, which drive (2) Ulstein-Aquamaster US205 MK2 z-drives. The Z-drives feature 90.6" diameter x 82.4" pitch four blade stainless steel propellers set in stainless steel nozzles and the estimated bollard pull is 60 tons.

Electrical service is provided by a pair of 99 KW Marathon Mariner generators powered by John Deere 6068TFM76 engines. Deck equipment includes a Markey DYSF-42 hydraulic bow winch equipped with 500' of 8" circumference Plasma line and a Washington Chain and Supply RSRH100 100-ton quick release tow hook.

Auxiliary equipment includes USCG-approved engine room monitoring and fire/smoke alarm systems, complete electronics package featuring Simrad Autopilot/GPS heading sensor, Foruno radar with chart plotter and Foruno depth meter, Heli-Sep Oily/Water separator, Owens Kleen tank sewage treatment plant and 500 GPM fire monitor.

Other features include sound proof insulation throughout crew quarters and engineer room, stainless steel deck bitts and bow staple, four bunk rooms with seven crew berths, and flat screen TV's and DVD players in all bunk rooms.

Tankage includes capacity for the following:
Diesel Fuel - 30,163 gallons
Potable Water - 10,938 gallons
Lube/Hydraulic Oil - 1,826 gallons each
Dirty Oil - 1,678 gallons

The 'Michael S.' will carry a four man crew, carries an ABS International Loadline and has achieved ISM Safety Certification by ABS.

The 'Michael S.' is the third ASD tractor tug built for Bisso by Main Iron Works and further allows Bisso to lay claim to being the only ship-assist operator on the Mississippi River operating multiple ASD tractor tugs. The 'Michael S.' brings the total number of ship-assist tugs operated by Bisso on the River to twelve.

An official christening ceremony for the 'Michael S.' will take place in late September.

We would also like to announce that we have reached an agreement with Main Iron Works to begin construction of another 4,000 HP ASD tractor tug. The as yet unnamed new tug will be an almost exact carbon copy of the 'Michael S.' and construction is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2010 with delivery expected in mid-2011.

"As the first company to introduce ASD tractor tugs on the Mississippi River back in 1999, we have always been the industry leader in introducing and operating the most advanced tugboat technology available" said Scott T. Slatten, President of Bisso Towboat Co., Inc. "These new z-drive tugs are our further commitment to providing our customers with the best equipment available, operated by the most highly trained, skilled and experienced mariners on the River."

For further information please contact Scott T. Slatten at (504) 861-1411 or via email at sslatten@bissotowing.com.