Thoma-Sea Tug For Penn ATB

Thoma-Sea Boatbuilders in Lockport La., is building an Entech-designed tug for Penn Maritime’s latest ATB. The 4000-horsepower 116 x 36-ft. tug will be mated to a 14,000-ton 90,000-barrel barge currently building at Corn Island Shipyard in Indiana. The coupling will be a JAK-400 model pin and socket system with eight sockets in each wing of the barge notch to accommodate varying drafts of the barge. The pneumatically operated pins are 16 inches in diameter.

Frank Basile explains that the tug design has evolved from earlier designs that he has done of a similar size but this is the first configured as an ATB. The hull, with a molded depth of 17 feet, will be powered by a pair of ABS-certified 2000 hp, 60-liter V-16 Cummins QSK60 engines turning up to 1800 RPM into Reintjes gears with 7.45:1 ratios. The boat will be fitted with Nautican nozzles and shutter rudders. The vessel will also have three 99 kw generator sets. The elevated wheelhouse will have an eye level of 51.5 feet. Delivery of the new tug is scheduled for the end of 2007.