62 February 9, 1999

Blessy Marine: Building Bigger On The River

While they continue to grow their fleet with the February 10 delivery of a 2400 hp retractable wheelhouse tow boat (see Hotips#38), Blessy Marine now have their most powerful tug under construction at Kody Marine. Powered by a pair of Cummins KTA50 M2 engines, delivering a total of 3200 hp (2,388 kW) for continuous duty at 1800 RPM, the new boat is scheduled for an August 1999 delivery. Naval architect on the 90X30X12.6-foot vessel is Matt Kawasaki of Design Associates in New Orleans.

Territory Sales Manager for Cummins Mid-South, Al Heisler says, "Cummins engines have been enjoying a steady growth in popularity among the operators on the inland waterways. We have a large number of KTA19s and KTA38s in service now. This boat represents the first installation of the new generation M2 in service in a towboat. Thanks to our current customer's acceptance of K and KV products, we are looking to continued growth in this market."

The new vessel, with crew accommodation for eight, will work the inland waterways pushing three or four 297.5X54-foot barges with capacities of 30,000 U.S. gallons each. The 16-cylinder main engines are equipped with Cummins' CENTRY electronic engine control systems and will drive through Reintjes WAF 772 marine gears with a reduction of 7.01:1 turning 86X76-inch propellers. The vessel will be equipped with four flanking and two steering rudders.

Auxiliary power will be provided by a pair of Cummins 6BT5.9 powered gensets at 99 kW each.

For more information contact:

Steve Proehl
Executive Vice President
Blessey Marine
New Orleans
Phone: 504 734-1156 Fax: 504 734-1195

Kody Marine
Clyde Naquin
or Paul Boudreaux
600 Peters Rd.
Harvey, LA 70058
Phone: 504 364-1176 cel 884-6077

Al Heisler
Territory Sales Managaer
Cummins Mid-South Inc.
Kenner LA 70062
Phone: (504) 465-3403 Fax: (504) 465-3408

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