54 November 23, 1998

Largest Crew Boat Launched: More Horsepower, More Cargo

The "John B. Martin McCall", first of three 183X35-footer crew boats (see Cummins Hotips#39), has been delivered to McCall Boat Rental. With over 15 feet added to the length and five feet added to the beam, this is a much bigger boat than their 165-foot class such as the "Hilda McCall". Running light the "Hilda" made a comfortable 26 knots, in sea trials the 183-footer made 27 knots in spite of a significant increase in weight. Her working speed will be 25.5 knots.

The key to this is in the engines. The "Hilda" had four of Cummins' V-12 KTA38-M2s rated 1350 HP at 1950 RPM. The new boat has six of the powerful engines for a total of 8100 HP. making her the most powerful crew boat built on the Gulf. The increased beam allows space for four of the V-12 engines mounted side-by-side across the stern with two more set forward with their shafts running between the outboard and inboard port and starboard engines. On the new 183-foot boat, the shafts and props of the two forward engines end forward of the four engines that are mounted in parallel across the stern with their four 46X46-inch four blade props matched to four rudders. The two forward props do not have rudders.

The "John B. Martin" has tankage for 63,000 (U.S.) gallons of water and 31,000 of fuel. Deck cargos capacity is 350 long tons compared to the 165-footers 280 tons. The boat, which is under contract to Chevron to service rigs up to 200 miles off shore, approaches an off shore supply boat in capabilities. Norman McCall explains, "This boat is capable of carrying a mixed cargo quicker than a supply boat and with big capacities."

A 300 hp Cummins 855 powers the hydraulics for a Thrustmaster retractable azimuthing bow thruster. A roll dampening box about 4X3-feet extends the full width of the boat just below the deck amidships. It can be tuned to wave conditions by pumping more or less water into it do increase the depth. The idea is for the water to set up its own wave motion counter to that of the sea and so dampening the boat's roll.

With a draft of 13 feet the "John B. Martin McCall" can still get into any of the Louisiana ports. She is presently working out of Chevron's Leeville/Port Fuchon bases. A second vessel to the same design is currently under construction with a third on order.

For further information and photos contact:

Kevin Tibbs
Gulf Craft, Inc.
Patterson, La.
Phone: 504 395-5254 Fax: 504 395-6259

Norman McCall
McCall Boat Rentals/SEACOR Marine
SEACOR Marine
Cameron Louisiana
Phone: 318 775-5485 Fax: 318 775-7025

D.S."Red" Cunningham
Cummins Mid-South Inc.
Amelia, Louisiana
Phone: 504 631-0576 Fax: 504 631-0081

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