VESSEL REVIEW | Larry Gravely – Pusher tug for aggregates transport duties in eastern US inland waters
Birmingham, Alabama-based aggregates producer Vulcan Materials recently took delivery of Larry Gravely, a twin-screw pusher tug built by Diversified Marine Services of Bourg, Louisiana, for aggregate transport operations.
The vessel is assigned to push loads from Richmond, Virginia, to Norfolk and south to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, operating on Chesapeake Bay and the James River.
Larry Gravely is the first of two pusher tugs ordered by Vulcan from Diversified Marine in February 2025, marking a move towards purpose-built vessels after the company had relied on leased or previously owned boats. Larry Gravely, Vulcan’s Marine Operations Coordinator and the vessel’s namesake, said that high purchase prices for used vessels and their upkeep costs had influenced the decision to order newbuilds.
Diversified Marine General Manager Adam Hutchinson said Vulcan paid less by ordering two vessels. He estimated that a pusher tug fitted to match Larry Gravely would sell for just under US$5 million.
Enhanced manoeuvrability essential for inland navigation
Larry Gravely measures 72 by 30 feet (22 by nine metres) and has a depth of 10 feet (three metres). The reported pilothouse eye level is near 32 feet ( 9.8 metres).
Gravely said that his original request was for a 67-foot (20-metre) vessel with a 28-foot (8.5-metre) beam and an 8.5-foot (2.6-metre) draught. Hutchinson subsequently offered to increase the length to 72 feet and the beam to 30 feet for the same price, retaining the requested design draught.
The tug is powered by two Mitsubishi S6R2 US EPA Tier III-compliant diesel engines that each produce 803 hp (600 kW) at 1,400 rpm. The engines drive propellers via Twin Disc MGX5321 reduction gears with a 5.96:1 ratio.
Ship service power is supplied by two John Deere PE4045TFM85 generators rated 99 kW each. Glendinning supplied the electro-hydraulic steering system and electric engine controls.
The tug‘s steering arrangement combines two main rudders behind the propellers with four flanking rudders—two on each side—ahead of them. The builder relies substantially on the forward rudders to improve manoeuvrability.
Hutchinson attributed the vessel’s handling capability to the propellers’ working surface area and the flanking rudder arrangement. He added that this arrangement will enable the tug to, “almost move laterally.”
Full range of electronics coupled with ample accommodation ideal for year-round use
The Furuno wheelhouse electronics include a digital radar rated at six kW and with a stated range of 96 nautical miles, a four-foot antenna and a 15-metre cable. The suite also includes a class A AIS transponder and a navigation data organiser, both with a 4.3-inch colour display, plus a satellite compass, bridge alarm system and depth sounder.
The Standard Horizon VHF marine radio has NMEA 2000 connectivity, AIS, a graphic display, a built-in GPS, and a loudhailer.
The vessel’s five cabins can accommodate six crewmembers and one pilot. Other onboard facilities include three toilets. Compared with its previous workboat fitouts, Diversified Marine gave Larry Gravely’s interior a more “residential” feel, with a lighter palette, oak-stained cabinetry, granite-finished countertops and laminate flooring.
Hutchinson said the accommodation approach reflected the amount of time crews spend aboard. Because crews on such vessels work most of the year, it is imperative that the onboard environment provided a warm feel.
The vessel also has a washer/dryer, while its full galley is equipped with an icemaker, a refrigerator/freezer, a microwave oven, and a stove.
As another measure to improve crew comfort, Diversified Marine now fits all its boats with Starlink systems for high-speed internet connectivity. The entertainment equipment meanwhile includes a Kenwood Marine digital stereo receiver and 6.5-inch marine speakers.
