My Board

Working with smaller barges rather than a large ex-freighter (806' before cutting off the stern) sounds right. Also, these tugs achieve nominal 5,100 BHP rating with 12 cylinder 645F's, the model in between the 645E and 710G and a rare one in the marine world, but which didn't have a good reputation for reliability at full rated horsepower in the rail world. Many 645F powered locomotives were later derated to 645E level so low-mid 4,000's for a pair of 12's.

Its only a 5100 hp tug.  Most ATB tugs pushing bulk carrier barges on the lakes are in the 6000 to 10,000 hp range, so I don't think it would be very efficient.

A little more info on the former US Army large tug LT-805 MG Winfield Scott that Interlake has apparently purchased.  Built in 1993, it was one of six 128 foot large tugs in the Army's fleet. It was sold at a government auction in August for a little over  $1.4 million dollars.  5 of the 6 tugs appear to have gone up for auction this year, but not all have been sold yet (several are located overseas and did not attract the minimum bid).

Here is a story and some photos of the MG Winfield Scott

And the general auction brochure for the tugs is attached.

Interlake isn't the only Great Lakes company to recently purchase a used US Army tug.  Dean Marine and Excavating recently purchased the small tug ST-911. Once named Enduring Freedom it has apparently been renamed Muskie.