News: Thoma-Sea Builds New Z-Drive

Cummins Marine's recently introduced QSK60 engines are finding a ready market in the 2,000 hp plus range in both Europe and North America. This spring the sale of two more QSK60s was announced for a Z-drive tug building at Thoma-Sea Boatbuilders in Houma, La. Designed by well-know Louisiana-based naval architect Frank Basile's Entech and Associates Inc., the 104 by 36-ft. boat will have a 17-ft. molded depth. Tankage provides for over 90,000 gallons of fuel, 10,000 gallons of potable water and 500 gallons of lube oil. The two Cummins QSK60 main engines will each produce 2,200 continuous-duty hp at 1,800 rpm. The engines will drive Rolls-Royce US 205 Z-drives.

The drives have 2150 m/m propellers in nozzles. Ship power will be provided by two Cummins 6BT5.9 powered 75 kW generator sets. The Markey bow winch will handle 500 ft. of 8-in. Spectra line. "We have gone with an electric winch on this boat," says Harley Marine representative Gregg Nelson, "As we understand that it has better auto-render recovery capabilities." Accommodation will be provided for six crew members. Design speed for the vessel is 11 knots. When delivered in August of 2003 the boat will take up duties on the West Coast, where she will join other tractor and ship assist tugs in the Harley Marine Services subsidiary companies, Millennium and Starlight Marine. Company president Harley Franco explains that she will be assigned to one of several ports as required.