Page 31: of Marine News Magazine (July 2019)

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PROPULSION ‘Power’ ‘Power’ to the People

Interstate-McBee brings affordable aftermarket replacement parts to a marine sector thirsting for new ways to bolster the bottom line. As freight rates, subchapter M and the advent of EPA Tier IV requirements all impact the market, an affordable overhaul of an existing engine is one way to ? nd real relief.

By Joseph Keefe recent report, entitled “Impact of Updated Service those pricey options, they can economically overhaul their

Life Estimates on Harbor Craft and Switcher Locomo- existing engines. Many are choosing to do just that. For A tive Emission Forecasts and Cost-Effectiveness,” found those that do, Interstate-McBee is there to help.

the average Category 2 workboat remains in service for 50 years, instead of the 23-year lifespan estimated by the EPA MEET INTERSTATE-MCBEE in the 2008 Heavy Duty Locomotive and Marine Rule. A Interstate Diesel Service, founded in 1947, originally spe- longer service life reduces the ? eet’s turnover rate to cleaner, cialized in remanufacturing Detroit Diesel fuel injectors. lower-emitting engines, but it also means something else: Since then, they’ve expanded several times and into many these engines are well built, long lasting, and perhaps just as more markets. According to Pat Roach, Interstate-McBee’s importantly; virtually all of them are out of warranty. Vice President of Sales & Marketing, from the very begin-

As much as 41 percent – a whopping 17,596 vessels – of ning, the ? rm worked with many OEM’s, including being the domestic commercial ? eet is now older than 21 years, the exclusive supplier to EMD. Since then, he says, “Through some of it (13,353; 31%) 25 years or older. Moreover, our OEM experience we have implemented tight quality 61% of all U.S. ? ag self-propelled vessels are older than 25 controls earning us ISO & EPA certi? cations unmatched by years. And, since the vast majority of these self-propelled any other replacement parts manufacturer. We offer the ma- vessels toil in workboat sectors, that means that a serious rine market a high quality alternative for engine parts with amount of work is necessary to keep them on the water. an opportunity to save money while maintaining high per-

Central to that effort is engine maintenance. formance and reliability demanded by the marine industry.”

Domestic workboat operators face many challenges in With over 300 full time employees, the ? rm operates in today’s business climate. When it comes to propulsion, op- multiple engine sectors, but Roach reports that the marine erators have choices: they can repower with an expensive market has been growing the past 10 years and has become new engine, they can spend even more money on a new increasing import for Interstate-McBee. “This growth can vessel, or for those not in a position to pay for either of be attributed to our focus on higher horsepower engines; 31 www.marinelink.com MN

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