Hillman-Designed New Class Towboat Delivered To Exxon At Baton Rouge

The M/V Exxon Mobile was recently delivered by Hillman Barge and Construction Company, Brownsville, Pa., to Exxon Company, U.S.A., Baton Rouge, La. The vessel will operate out of the refinery there towing petroleum products to locations along the inland waterways and Gulf Coast.

The Exxon Mobile is the fourth of five such towboats constructed by Hillman Barge for Exxon Company, U.S.A. The Exxon Louisville and the Exxon Memphis were delivered last year; the Exxon Lake Charles, earlier this year. The Exxon Nashville is yet to be delivered. Representing a new class of Hillman-designed towboats, all five are nearly identical.

Each vessel has hull dimensions of 120 feet by 30 feet by 10V2 feet with a normal operating draft of 8i/2 feet. The Exxon Lake Charles, however, has an 8-foot-higher pilothouse to provide necessary visibility because of a special tow with which it will be used.

The new vessel is twin-screw with a total of 3,334 hp from Colt Industries, Fairbanks Morse 10- cylinder, Model 38D8 1/8 engines turning at 750 rpm. The engines drive through Western Model RH- 27 reverse and reduction gears with 3.48:1 ratio. The four-blade stainless-steel propellers are 102 inches in diameter and were manufactured by Avondale to Hillman's design. The shafts are ABS-type steel, 10y2 inches in diameter with Daman ceramaloy sleeves fitted in way of the Cutlass bearings and stuffing box.

The hull is divided longitudinally into seven independent watertight compartments to house 76,000 gallons of fuel oil, 6,500 gallons of potable water, 8,000 gallons of ballast, 4,300 gallons of slop, 4,300 gallons of sanitary water and 260 gallons of dirty lube oil. Self-standing tanks in the steering-gear room contain bath, laundry, upper engine room and enclosed steering-gear room.

Four double s t a t e r o o m s with closets and two semiprivate baths are located in the upper deckhouse.

In the pilothouse, navigation and communications equipment include Sperry radars, Elac fathometers, RF Communications UHF/VHF radios, C.A.I, singlesideband radio and a vocal intercom system all furnished by the customer and installed by We-Do Electronics of Pittsburgh. Also located in the pilothouse is a concealed toilet and a range-refrigerator- sink combination.

Decks in all crew staterooms and the pilothouse are covered with commercial-type carpeting, while all other decks in living spaces have vinyl linoleum covering.

The entire vessel is of fireproof c o n s t r u c t i o n , with U.S.

Gypsum "Novoply" wall paneling and fiberglass acoustical ceiling tile.

1,000 gallons of engine lube oil, 290 gallons of reduction gear lube oil, 175 gallons of generator lube oil, 350 gallons of hydraulic oil, 175 gallons of cleaning fluid and 175 gallons of air filter oil.

Two Lima 125-kw generators driven by Detroit Diesel Model 6-71 engines were supplied by Keystone Diesel of Pittsburgh, Pa., and provide 440, 220 or 110- volt a-c power for all onboard systems. A General Electric "Pan- A-Trol" switchboard and motor control center are arranged for control and distribution of power.

In addition to the normal gauges supplied with equipment, the boat is equipped with a National Marine Service "Tugmonitor" which monitors all main engine and auxiliary systems. The main control panel is located in the engine room with remote stations in the pilothouse and the main deck stateroom, and an alarm bell in the galley. The system not only monitors m a c h i n e r y but also checks for other problems such as high bilge level or fire anywhere in the vessel. The system also has the capability of transferring generators either automatically or manually from the engine room or from the pilothouse.

The rudder and steering system consists of two interconnected steering rudders and four interconnected flanking rudders. The rudders are controlled by an air over hydraulic system designed by Hillman in conjunction with Wabco and Weinman Pump of Pittsburgh. Both rudder systems are operated by separate, powerful hydraulic units consisting of Vickers type PVB pumps. Each system has an identical backup pump and motor with transfer capability from the pilothouse.

The main deckhouse contains a paint locker, deck stores locker, double stateroom with private bath and closet, lounge, galley/ messing area with pantry, partial bath, laundry, upper engine room and enclosed steering-gear room.

Four double s t a t e r o o m s with closets and two semiprivate baths are located in the upper deckhouse.

In the pilothouse, navigation and communications equipment include Sperry radars, Elac fathometers, RF Communications UHF/VHF radios, C.A.I, singlesideband radio and a vocal intercom system all furnished by the customer and installed by We-Do Electronics of Pittsburgh. Also located in the pilothouse is a concealed toilet and a range-refrigerator- sink combination.

Decks in all crew staterooms and the pilothouse are covered with commercial-type carpeting, while all other decks in living spaces have vinyl linoleum covering.

The entire vessel is of fireproof c o n s t r u c t i o n , with U.S.

Gypsum "Novoply" wall paneling and fiberglass acoustical ceiling tile.

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 19, Sep 1977

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