Saunders Engine News

Marine Systems Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Kirby Corp., said it had agreed to purchase Saunders Engine and Equipment Co. Inc. for about $13.2m in cash. Saunders, based in Mobile, Ala., is a privately held high-speed diesel engine services provider. The deal is expected to close by July 20. Houston-based Kirby said it will finance the acquisition using an existing revolving credit facility.

Mine sweeping is no longer solely reliant on wooden hulled mine sweepers. The U.S. Navy has developed a method that involves a Sokorski helicopter towing a catamaran sea skid equipped to detect and detonate mines. Each helicopter and sled unit is accompanied by a pair diesel-powered rigid-hulled inflatable boats. The RIBs tow the sled when disengaged by the helicopter and act as general support vessels. The 24-ft. RIBs had been powered with 165 hp diesels powering Duo-prop outdrives. Complaints of frequent breakdowns and complexity of auxiliary systems making service difficult were brought to the attention of the people at the Saunders Engine Company in Panama City, Fla., who in turn consulted with their associated company Saunders Yachtworks in Orange Beach, Ala.