Island Boats Delivers Second Crewboat

The Swordfish, Christened January 14 on Bayou Teche, is a sister-ship in all but two significant features to the Bourbon Libeccio delivered earlier in 2008 from Jeaneratte Louisianaís Island Boats. The move from green for the 175 by 32 ft hull to a deep royal blue is the result of an ownership change from Rigdon to GulfMark in the intervening months. The second difference results from the advent of Tier II engine technology. While the Bourbon Libeccio was powered by four Cummins KTA50 engines rated at for 1800 HP each 1900-RPM, the Swordfish is powered by Tier 2 compliant QSK50 engines with the same horsepower. These engines feature a modular common rail fuel system that provides constant high injection pressure regardless of engine speed or load conditions along with a range of other advantages. The engines will drive Hamilton HM811 water jets through Reintjes gears with 2.54:1 reduction. The DP I boat also has a pair of Cummins 6CTA8.3-powered 148 kW generators and a 30-inch bow thruster powered by a third 6CTA8.3 engine.