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Orleans to Memphis, but only use 5,000 gallons on the return trip, so the impact of the current is significant, " said Williams.

In addition to burning far less fuel, the

River Explorer will often travel at speeds of 15 mph on southbound trips, twice that of the northbound leg.

Typically, barge tows have little sail area with their cargo typically at or below the waterline. The River Explorer is a very special tow, three decks high. "To assist us in maneuvering in harbors and in narrow waterways such as the ICWW, we have added a self contained bow thruster, giving us a total of two such propulsion units on the vessel," Williams said.

Called Mr. Wally, the outboard tunnel bow thruster is powered by a 300 hp

Detroit Diesel engine. "With two bow thrusters and 360 degree control of our propulsion units in the tug, the entire ves- sel can literally be "walked" sideways into a docking space," Williams reported. "That's very helpful in our home port of

New Orleans where dock space is always at a premium," Williams added.

Navigation of the River Explorer is as unique as its hull forms. "The tug is actu- ally what we would call the engine room on other vessels," Williams said. That is because the pilothouse level of the tug offers no forward visibility since it is blocked by the second deck of the barge.

The main pilothouse for River Explorer is on the LaSalle barge raised about eight feet above the third deck of that vessel. "We use an electrical/pneumatic system to control the engines from our "remote" pilothouse," Williams said. The helm has all of the modern electronic equipment needed for this type of service including an AIS. Controls for both bow thrusters are at the helm as well as the communica- tions equipment needed for a Coast Guard

SubChapter H rated passenger vessel.

Both passenger barges are rated as Sub-

Chapter H vessels by the Coast Guard while the tug is uninspected at this time.

Coast Guard inspection of towboats is on the way and the Miss Nari will probably be one of the first to receive an inspection since it is in passenger vessel service.

The Miss Nari can also navigate the

River Explorer in an emergency. Typical- ly that would be to guide the vessel to a riverbank and tie up until the emergency situation is resolved.

The towboat has its own diesel genera- tors to supply power for the needs of the tug. It also has accommodations for the boat crew. As is the case with most overnight passenger vessels, there are far more "hotel" staff on board than mariners. "We have about 10 vessel crew members on board and about 30 or so staff people involved in the food, beverage and house-

March, 2005 • MarineNews 23

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The River Explorer tied up in Natchez, Miss. Passengers are on a shore tour of this historic town. It is almost twice as long as any other overnight passenger vessel making port calls on the inland waterway system.

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