Sneed Delivers Z-Drive

Houma, La.-based Enterprise Mariner Services, LLC (EMS) added its eighth Z-drive towboat, the fourth from Sneed Shipbuilding. The 87 x 34-ft. Sebastian D, with an 11.5-ft. molded depth, was built by Sneed Shipbuilding of Channelview, Texas. This boat is well-suited for working the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway where they routinely push two 30,000-barrel petroleum barges. Propulsion power is provided by a pair of 1000-hp Cummins QSK38M Tier III diesel engines coupled to the ZF Marine AT 5111 WM-FP  Z-Drives fitted with 66-in. diameter propellers mounted in Kort nozzles. With these drives, the boats draw only 8.5 ft. As with the conventional boats, the QSK38M engines also give these very maneuverable Z-Drive boats plenty of power to safely handle the currents of the Mississippi River. Tankage of these boats include: 30,000 gallons for fuel, 16,000 gallons for water and 500 gallons for lube oil.

 

(As published in the November 2015 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News - http://magazines.marinelink.com/Magazines/MaritimeReporter)