Tacoma-based custom aluminum boat building company Silverback Marine has secured a multimillion-dollar Department of Defense contract for its new OX series truckable tractor tug, which is expected to be delivered in late 2025, the company announced Nov. 7.
Silverback Marine teamed with Darley Defense, a family-run Illinois-based supplier of material support and training to the DoD, to win the contract.
Designed collaboratively with Seattle-based Elliot Bay Design Group, the tug would feature two Cummins diesel motors, Schottel Z Drives and Arcosa deck equipment and winches, according to Silverback.
“The core purpose of this mini tug is to bring real, useable towing capacity to the truckable tug market,” Silverback Marine said in a statement. “With the twin azimuth drives, captains can enjoy big tug characteristics in a very compact package, without the headache of costly Subchapter M requirements.”
“The heavy-gauge aluminum hull, protected by Schuyler fendering, reduces weight and corrosion costs compared to traditional steel hulls, and the compact size allows (for) haul out with conventional travel lifts,” the statement continued.
The vessel is also a hybrid and full electric propulsion candidate, the company said.
“Especially when operated in multi-vessel teams, operators now enjoy the ability to perform operations normally only possible with much larger tugs,” the company said. “This nimble solution also reduces underwater noise and environmental impacts, making it an attractive choice for ports seeking grant funding opportunities and incentives.”
