Modifications were carried out on the stern of the vessel to enable a twin-screw propulsion system to be fitted and the completed tug is expected to achieve a bollard pull of 50 tons.

Bollinger have also reconstructed the tug's wheelhouse and fitted 'low profile' exhaust stacks for maximum visibility. Among the host of new equipment installed are new radars, GPS, depth sounders, hailers, VHF radios, fax machines, sound powered telephones, fuel emergency shut off systems, and remote control start and stop facilities for the main engines. New Coast Guard approved oil and water separators and sanitary systems have been fitted along with a new keel cooling system. The living spaces and the galley were refurbished and new air conditioning and heating installed.

On completion of the conversion Larry Ohier, vice-president and port engineer of Crescent said: 'Florida is running great and is everything we thought it would be. She went up the Mississippi River at over 10 knots at a river stage of 13.5ft and downstream at over 16 knots.

Power, manoeuvrability and visibility are all excellent'.

The tug Louisiana is the next vessel to receive an identical conversion and will be followed by the Ned Ferry, G. Shelby Freidrichs, Mississippi, Margaret F. Cooper, Texas, and Glenn Smith. All are 32m in length with a 7.92m beam and 4.01m depth.

They were built in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Test revealed that Florida's shell plating is still well over 1 inch thick, reflecting excellent maintenance, and a further life expectancy of 30-35 years is predicted. Twenty-three tugs operated by the Cooper Group of companies provide harbour towage for vessels on the rivers Mississippi, Mobile and Savannah .