Nichols Brothers Boat Builders got a shot in the arm for business through 2007 with a second contract to build a harbor tug. Baydelta Maritime of San Francisco has exercised its option for a second 100-foot, 6,800-hp harbor tug from the Freeland boatyard.

Nichols CEO Matt Nichols said they expect to deliver the first tug in June with this second tug to be delivered in October.

Meanwhile, an order for a similar tug was received from Minette Bay Shipdocking, Ltd., of Prince Rupert, B.C., Nichols said.

The delivery date for the Minette Bay tug is forecast for December.

According to a Baydelta spokesman, the company’s two tugs will be named the Delta Billie and the Delta Cathryn.

The ocean going tugs are used to escort large ships in and out of harbors.

Nichols said that the horsepower ratings will be among the highest posted for z-drive tugs.

The tugs will have comfortable berthing; while a normal harbor crew will include four people, the Baydelta tugs will accommodate up to 10 crewmen for longer hauls. Facilities also include a laundry, galley and a spacious crew lounge. The Minette Bay tug will have accommodations for six persons and fuel capacity will be 69,400 gallons.

Nichols Brothers also recently signed a contract to participate in building two 149-passenger catamarans for the Water Transit Authority in San Francisco Bay, for delivery this year. Nichols Brothers will participate with Kvichak Marine of Seattle in the project.

Both the Baydelta and Minette tugs are arranged with space for firefighting systems. The tugs were designed by Jensen Marine Consultants, Inc., of Seattle with ship handling as their primary purpose, although they will also be fitted for long-haul towing.