The Helen Merrill southbound on her maiden voyage on the Ohio River at Metropolis Ill. a few miles below Paducah, Ky. with the I-24 highway bridge. (Photos courtesy Jeff L. Yates courtesy of Cummins Marine)The Helen Merrill southbound on her maiden voyage on the Ohio River at Metropolis Ill. a few miles below Paducah, Ky. with the I-24 highway bridge. (Photos courtesy Jeff L. Yates courtesy of Cummins Marine)
Waxler Transportation Co. has taken delivery of the final towboat in a series of five 99 by 35-ft, 3200 hp pushboats. The latest sister, the M/V Helen Merrill, made her maiden voyage for Secors inland transport subsidiary in mid-January 2010.
Each of the vessels has a pair of Cummins KTA50 M2 diesels individually rated for 1600 HP linked to Haley HRV Series gears providing main engine power. Electrical requirements are met by a pair of 99 kW Cummins Onan generator sets.