The Great Lakes Towing Co. held a christening ceremony on May 28 for its newest tugboat, Puerto Rico, during an event along the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland.

The ceremony took place at Collision Bend Brewing Co. and brought together company employees, customers, industry partners and guests to mark the vessel’s entry into service.

Sara Fuentes, president of the Transportation Institute, served as the vessel’s sponsor and performed the traditional christening by breaking a ceremonial bottle of champagne across the tug’s hull.

Puerto Rico is the 10th vessel delivered under the company’s Fleet Renewal Program, an initiative aimed at modernizing its fleet for service throughout the Great Lakes. The tug was built by Great Lakes Shipyard in Cleveland.

The vessel is based on the Damen Stan Tug 1907 ICE design and is intended to provide ship-assist, towing and icebreaking services in the region. According to the company, the design includes improvements in operating efficiency, crew accommodations and environmental performance.