Mary Elizabeth Gattle poses with her namesake vessel.

Terral RiverService Inc. proudly introduced its 26th towboat, the M/V Mary Elizabeth Gattle, with a christening ceremony held May 11 at the Lake Providence, LA Port Terminal.

Named after Mary Elizabeth Gattle, the granddaughter of Tom Gattle, president and CEO of Terral RiverService Inc., the vessel’s primary work will be towing aggregates between Vulcan Quarry in Kentucky and Terral RiverService Inc.’s Old River fleet. On her maiden voyage, the M/V Mary Elizabeth Gattle towed 24 barges Northbound.

Designed by Tim Hovas and built at NewSouth Marine Construction Inc.’s Greenville, Mississippi shipyard, the boat was complete on May 9. The M/V Mary Elizabeth Gattle is the largest boat built by NewSouth to date, and measures 140 feet by 38 feet, has a depth of 12 feet, and a draft of 9 feet 6 inches.

“Of the boats that NewSouth Marine and Tim Hovas have built, I think it’s probably the very best we’ve come up with. It’s quiet. It’s very crew-friendly. It’s strong. It’s very powerful. It’s smooth. It’s a great boat.” Tom Gattle president and CEO of Terral RiverService Inc. said.

Shortly after Mary Elizabeth christened the boat, guests enjoyed a short tour that took the vessel to the Mississippi River and back. The Christening Ceremony was followed by a reception with live music performed by the Patrick Smith Band and food at Terral’s shoreside headquarters.

Mary Elizabeth Gattle with grandfather Tom Gattle, President and CEO of Terral RiverService Inc.