Page 25: of Marine News Magazine (July 2016)

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PROPULSION: DESIGN

The Donna/272 taken during the Christening

Ceremony in New Orleans, LA in February, 2016. Kim M. Bouchard / B. No. 270

Credit: Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. Credit: Guarino & Cox tank testing with all simulated weather conditions was also well as yachts and standard tugs. The contract was awarded an important part of the design phase to help ensure that to VT Halter Marine who then subcontracted to GCL to do the factors from weather or sea conditions would never af- the detailed function design for the tug while they performed fect the vessels’ maneuverability, speed, and safety. In addi- the detailed functional design for the barges in-house. tion, the robust Intercontinental electrohydraulic 64-inch coupling system allows the tug to stay coupled with the

Design for Propulsion Ef? ciencies barge during all types of weather conditions.

GCL consulted Canadian-headquartered Nautican on

Initially, Bouchard hired GCL (based in Louisiana) to de- their propulsion system before going ahead with the design velop the bid package for both tugs and barges – the two phase. While Nautican is no stranger to ATB jobs, this was companies have a long-standing relationship going back to their ? rst project with Bouchard. “We gave them (GCL) the the 1970s. GCL has been concentrating on ATB design for propeller/nozzle performance curve so they could design the the past 15 years and is also known for their OSV designs as hull to fully take advantage of that,” says Elizabeth Reynolds www.marinelink.com

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