20 Dec. 22, 1997

Hot Props for Gulf of Mexico Dive/Supply Boat

Torch Inc, of Gretna Louisiana, has ordered a pair of Cummins KTA38-M0 main engines for their new 130X28-foot steel vessel currently building at J&J Marine in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. These turbo-charged and after-cooled V-12 engines, which are available in continuous duty ratings to 1200 hp, are rated at 800 hp at 1800 RPM. Driving through Twin Disc MG5202 marine gears the engines will turn 59X74-inch four-blade Kaplan-style wheels in 60-inch Rice speed nozzles. The nozzles have been added to the dramaticly pitched props, not so much to achieve a higher bollard pull, but, to increase the vessel's speed while maintaining smaller diameter props for a shallower draft.

Torch's project manager Bob Triplett explains that the new boat will be primarily used in meeting the needs of the company's three pipelaying barges and two four-point dive boats. With crews ranging from 40 to 80, the barges work in waters up to 300 feet and the dive boats to 600 feet. The new vessel will have extra tankage below decks in order to supply fuel and water to the other vessels. A 64-foot open after-deck will carry general supplies and as well as pipeline sections to the barges. Passenger accommodation for up to 42 people will be in the main deckhouse. "When you are hauling work crews off shore, time is money," says Triplett, "So we have built a boat that is somewhere between an OSV and a crew boat. We are looking for a speed of about 14 knots with this arrangement."

Designed by Bosarge Designs of Grand Bay Alabama, the boat will have two double drum winches just aft of the main house. These will give it four-point anchoring capabilities. Working with the Cummins 6CTA8.3-powered 150 HP bow thruster. The crew will be able to manoeuvre in such a manner that the four anchors will be deployed to hold the vessel on a precise position. The boat will also be equipped to operate on dive support as required.

For further information contact:

Bob Triplett
Senior Project Manager
Torch Inc.
Gretna, Louisiana
Phone: 504 367-7030 Fax: 504 367-7075
E-mail: torchpl@bellsouth.net

Buddy Johnson
J&J Marine Inc.
Bayou La Batre, Alabama
Phone: 334 824-1406

Larry Neff
V-P Marine Marketing
Cummins Alabama Inc.
3422 Georgia Pacific Ave.
Mobile, Alabama
Phone: 334 452-6421
Fax: 334 473-6657

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