446 October 2007

Kirby Launches First In New Series

Kirby's latest vessel on delivery in October 2007.
(This has been worked from a low rez image) credit Mark Davis/Kirby

Following on the success of their 90x35-foot series of towboats (see Hotips#407) Kirby Marine has taken delivery of the first in a new series of 76x35-foot boats. Building at the Raymond And Associates LLC shipyard in Bayou LaBatre Alabama, the Capt. Bill English, is the first of four currently under construction with the possibility of eight more to follow.

Although shorter than the earlier series, these boats retain the robust beam of their cousins. Mark Davis, Kirby’s representative at the shipyard explained that it is important to the firm to retain crews. “The extra beam lets us make the boats a little nicer and then we add internet access and flat screen TV with surround sound for the crew,” he said.

The Captain Bill English as it looked in late August as fitting out was underway in Bayou LaBatre. photo credit: Alan Haig-Brown/Kirby

In the engine room the new towboats continue the use of Cummins engines. These are a pair of Cummins KTA38-M1 engines rated for 900 hp at 1800 RPM.

Designed jointly by LaForce and Kirby the new boats have the distinctive sloped and multi facetted wheelhouse windows that provide great visibility. The interiors show influences from modern ship docking tugs with split consoles allowing visibility through ceiling to deck windows. At the same time traditional “sticks” for both flanking and steering rudders. Although the steering is electrically controlled, Davis explained, “We can adjust the tension on the sticks to replicate the pressure that the captains are use to on the older boats.”

Kirby operates over 900 active inland tank barges, 241 active towing vessels and five fleets on the US inland waterway network.With these boats, Kirby is setting a standard of excellence for both crews and clients for the delivery of petroleum products on America’s inland waterways.

Bio of the late Capt. Bill English:

Captain Bill English was born on November 8, 1954 , in Lake Charles , Louisiana . Growing up in nearby Westlake , he graduated from high school and entered the United States Marine Corps. After serving his country and leaving the service with an honorable discharge in 1979, Captain Bill entered the inland marine industry with Devall Towing & Boat Service, of Hackberry, Louisiana. In 1987, he changed employers and continued his towing career with Hollywood Marine. Captain Bill saw service on the Hollywood , and later, Kirby vessels, Miss Fran, John T. Stellman, Virginia C, Noema, Palomino, Fawn, and Lampasas.

While in high school, Bill first met his future wife, Janet. Janet bought her first house in 1985, and fate stepped in when Bill purchased the next house over in 1987. The two were married in 1990. Captain Bill married the “girl next door”. Between them they became the parents of eleven children. Two of those children are grown and on their own. Three others, sadly, have passed away, yet there remains six with their mother, loving and remembering their father every day.

For further information:
Paul Soper
Manager
Canal Boat Maintenance
Kirby Corporation
55 Waugh Drive, Suite 1000
Houston, TX 77007
P.O. Box 1537
713-435-1723
Email: paul.soper@kirbycorp.com

Jay Rowan
Marine Accounts Manager
Cummins Southern Plains
Houston Texas
Phone: 713 679 2220
Mobile: 713 515 8978
E-mail: jay.w.rowan@cummins.com
Web: www.cummins-sp.com/

Ray LaForce
Raymond and Associates LLC
P.O. Box 107
650 Shell Belt Road
Bayou La Batre
Alabama 36509
Phone: 251 824 2152
Fax: 251 824 7742

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