HUDSHIP's First 85-Foot Towboat Delivered To Energy Transport

Hudson Shipbuilders (HUD- SHIP) of Pascagoula, Miss., re- cently delivered its first 85-foot towboat, the Virginia Cole (shown above), to Energy Transport Ser- vices, Inc. of New Orleans. Al- though HUDSHIP builds a stock 70-foot towboat, of which several have been delivered, this is its first of the larger model that will be stock offering for customers looking for a medium-size, yet more powerful pushboat.

The boat was designed by Oliver Bryant, a Mississippi Gulf Coast naval a r c h i t e c t , whom Ralston Cole, president and owner of Energy Transport, terms one of the best workboat designers in the country. Mr. Bryant, who is an independent consultant, has had a long association with HUDSHIP and continues to work with and for them.

The Virginia Cole will push petroleum barges for the Energy Transport fleet, operating between Galveston, Texas, and New Orleans.

Because she will be in open water on Galveston Bay, and the rest of the time in either congested waters in the Intracoastal Canal or on the turbulent lower Mississippi River, special design considerations were made. These include a foot higher sheer, and rudder and steering capacities beyond those of most 85-footers.

Her higher sheer will allow her to run in heavy weather in the open bay waters, and when she's in a narrow canal or fast-flowing river, her 71/L,-foot rudders give her greater maneuvering power.

Her engines are eight-cylinder GM Electro-Motive Diesel units turning 88 by 78-inch, stainlesssteel Kahlenberg propellers. The 8-inch shafts are hot-rolled steel with Sturm chrome liners. They transmit their power through Twin Disc model MGN 100 AZ reverse reduction gears with a 4:1 ratio.

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.