Eastern Shipbuilding Delivers Spirit River

TRICO Marine Operators, Inc., recently took delivery of 232 ft. Spirit River, constructed by Eastern Shipbuilding Group, of Panama City, Fla. Measuring 232 x 48 x 16 ft., Spirit River is equipped to offer a variety of services, and is distinguished by its shallow draft, which allows the vessel to operate out of all the Gulf of Mexico ports. Spirit River and soon-to-be-delivered sister ship, Hondo River were both built to the highest standards of USCG, and classed by ABS as Maltese Cross A1 E AMS. Each vessel has also been SOLAS certified for international voyages. Power is supplied by a pair of EMD 16-645E7 main engines, rated at 2,875 hp each, and coupled to Lufkin RHS 2500 HG gears with a 3.6:1 ratio. Electric power is generated via a pair of 145 kW Cummins NT 855-MG4 generator sets with a 60 kW Cummins 60DGCB emergency generator set. One 1,000 hp hydraulic powered combination retractable and transverse bowthruster was provided by Thrustmaster. While in the "up" position, this thruster operates as a standard tunnel thruster for shallow operations. Once lowered, it converts into a full 360-degree azimuthing thruster, capable of powering the vessel back to the dock, if necessary. When combined with the 750 hp Schottel tunnel stern thruster, these thrusters give Spirit River a high degree of maneuverability under all operating conditions. The propulsion and maneuvering equipment is all linked together to a Konesberg Simrad Dynamic Positioning System, equipped with joystick control giving the vessel the ability to hold a position within 16.4 ft.