News:NY Firm Building in Louisiana

September 11 set things back all over the world and especially in New York. But now a maritime firm in that city has a new tug building at Thoma-Sea Boat Builders in Houma, La. The model bow tug, essentially a sister ship to one delivered last January, is a 3,400 hp ocean-going tug, 100 by 32-ft. with a molded depth of 13.75 ft. Designed by Frank Basil's Entech and Associates of Houma, the boat will be powered by a pair of 16-cylinder Cummins KTA50 main engines rated for 1,700 hp at 1,800 rpm. The engines will turn into Reintjes WAF-772 gears with rations of 7.087:1 and turning 87-in. Sound propellers in 88-in. Rice nozzles.

The boat is designed for a bollard pull of 60 tons. Accommodations will be provided for up to eight people. Tankage includes 85,000 U.S. gallons for fuel, 20,000 gallons water and 1,500 gallons for lube oil. A pair of 50 kW gensets are powered by Cummins series 6BT 5.9 liter engines with the same engine providing power for the towing winch. Delivery is anticipated for late January or early February 2003.