Paxman Secures U.S. Navy Contract To Supply 32 Diesel Engines For New Patrol Boat Program

Paxman Diesels of Colchester in Essex, U.K., has won a multimillion dollar contract to supply 32 propulsion engines to the U.S. Navy for its new Coastal Patrol Boat (PBC) program.

Under the contract, Paxman will supply Valenta model 16 RP200- 1-CM engines.

The PBC vessels, based on a Vosper Thornycroft hull design, will each be powered by four 16-cylinder Valenta engines and will be capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots. The eight 171-foot craft, designed as ocean capable vessels, will be used for essential patrol and surveillance operations, as well as to support various naval missions. For this duty, each of the four engines aboard the PBC will be continuously rated at 3,350 bhp at 1,500 rpm and drive a fixed pitch propeller through a Reintjes reverse reduction gear box fitted with a trolling valve slowspeed drive and loiter facility.

Paxman's success in winning this new contract follows the application of the Paxman 16-cylinder Valenta engine in the patrol craft for the U.S. Coast Guard Island Class program.

The Island Class vessels have now been operating for over five years around the coast of the U.S., from Alaska to Hawaii to Puerto Rico. The engines in some of the first vessels commissioned have now been in operation for nearly 9,000 hours without a major overhaul, with total aggregated hours now exceeding 300,000. The excellent service and condition at inspection of the Valenta engines, according to Paxman, has enabled the Coast Guard to increase top overhaul periods from 6,000 to 8,000 hours and major overhauls from 12,000 to 16,000 hours, further underlining the cost-effectiveness of the Paxman diesels.

The Valenta engines for the PBC program will be delivered this year and next to Bollinger Machine Shop & Shipyard, Inc., Lockport, La., which is constructing the craft— thus continuing the relationship formed between the two companies established during the Island Class program.

The Paxman engines supplied for the PBC program are supported throught the Paxman Diesel Division of Ruston Gas Turbines Inc. of Houston and their distributor network, which covers the U.S. Support for the PBC engines will be provided by Paxman trained engineers and Navy engineers.

For free literature detailing the full line of marine diesels offered by Paxman, Circle 92 on Reader Service Card

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