Turn Services expands its fleet with the M/V Sir Barton, a newbuild completed at Verret Shipyard in Plaquemine, LA. The vessel marks the first in an eight-boat new construction program between Turn Services and Laborde Products.
The M/V Sir Barton features a twin-screw propulsion system powered by Mitsubishi S6R2 Tier 3 engines, each rated at 803 horsepower at 1,400 RPM. The configuration reflects a standardized approach across the program, aligning engine selection with the operational demands of Turn Services’ fleet.
With multiple vessels planned, the program establishes a consistent foundation across new builds, allowing for familiarity in operation, maintenance, and long-term performance. The Sir Barton sets that baseline as the first vessel delivered under the agreement.
“When you're committing to eight boats, you're not just picking an engine. You're picking what your crews will work with for the next 20 years,” said Lucian Lott, Chief Operating Officer at Turn Services. “After running these engines in the M/V Kenneland for the past six years, we knew the S6R2 was the direction we wanted to go.”
Laborde Products supplied the Mitsubishi engines and worked alongside Turn Services and Verret Shipyard throughout the construction process, coordinating the engine package as part of the broader vessel build. The Sir Barton represents the first S6R2 Tier 3 installation in the series, with additional vessels to follow as the program progresses.
“The S6R2 Tier 3 is a proven workhorse for this kind of inland and coastal work,” saod Bradley Matte, Sales Representative at Laborde Products. “It's reliable, serviceable, and it performs where it counts. That's exactly what a fleet program like this needs.”
About Laborde Products
Laborde Products keeps workboats working by acting as an extension of your crew. From Mitsubishi marine engines to local service and application support, the team stays close to your operation with the training, parts, and expertise needed to keep schedules on track.
About Turn Services
Turn Services, founded in 1990 and headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, is one of the largest independent fleeting and shifting companies in the United States. The company supports barge and vessel operations along the Lower Mississippi River and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway with services including cleaning, repair, towing, and fuel supply.
About Verret Shipyard
Verret Shipyard, founded in 1942, is a family-owned operation built on decades of hands-on experience in vessel design and construction. Based in Louisiana, the yard focuses on practical, crew-centered builds shaped by long-standing craftsmanship and operational knowledge.