On Thursday, June 14, Washburn & Doughty Associates of East Boothbay launched its latest tugboat to be purchased by Moran Towing Corporation of New Canaan, Connecticut.

After sea trials, the Judy Moran will be in service in Texas moving liquid natural gas tankers in and out of port, according to W&D Chairman Bruce Doughty.

“This is the 40th tug we have built for Moran and the intent is not to slow down,” Doughty told workers and friends at the noon launching. 

Doughty announced the planned purchase of two adjacent buildings from Hodgdon Yachts. He said the sale is expected to be completed in July.

“It will allow us to expand,” Doughty said.

He directed the crowd to the hull of the next tug under construction. He said more contracts were in the works.

Deborah Murray performed the christening of the Judy Moran with champagne. Then workers used torches to sever the cables and the boat slipped into the water. Refreshments were served.

Washburn & Doughty has been in business since 1977 and even remained in limited operations in the aftermath of a 2008 fire.

According to company records, over two dozen tugs it has built in recent years have carried names of Moran family members. A towing company Michael Moran founded in 1860 was sold in 1994.