95 January 27, 2000

Handy Shallow Draft Push Boat From Sneed Shipbuilding

Blessey Marine Services, Inc. of Harahan LA have taken delivery of a 65x24-foot push boat. Built by Sneed Shipbuilding of Orange, Texas, the new boat is powered by a pair of Cummins KTA19M main engines delivering a combined 1000 HP through Reintjes WAF363L main gears with 6:1 reduction. The props on the new boat, named the David F. Stone, are four-blade 64x52-inch Michigan Workhorse. The six-inch shafts have Nickel-chrome liners increasing their dimension by 3/4 of an inch at the points where they pass through the hull and the stabilizer strut where Thordon bearings have been installed.. Electrical power is provided by a 50kW, Stamford Newage generators driven by 6B5.9-D(M) Cummins engines. Cooling for both mains and gen sets is by Fernstrum.

Accommodations is provided for up to five people in three bunk rooms. There is also a separate utility room with washer, dryer and freezer. Sound insulation, from Bayou Insulation of Orange Texas, is installed on both the overhead and forward bulkhead of the engine room. For additional crew comfort, all interior walls have eight pound mineral wool insulation. Hydraulic components for both steering and flanking rudders was supplied by Custom Hydraulics of Gretna, Louisiana.

The boat achieved 10.5 mph on it's maiden voyage, pushing a 10,000 barrel oil barge. Blessey Marine's Steve Proehl reports that the new boat's primary assignment will be pushing a 20,000 barrel barge on the Gulf Intercoastal Water Way where the shallow draft will be an advantage particularly down in the Brownsville area.

Builder Clyde Sneed reports that he has recently delivered a 160x52-foot floating dry dock to his Houston yard and currently has a sister hull to the David F. Stone under construction on speculation.

For further information contact:

Clyde Sneed
Sneed Shipbuilding, Inc.
2011 Dupont Drive Orange
Tx 77630
Phone: 409 882 0284 Fax: 409 882 0356

Steve Proehl
Executive Vice President
Blessey Marine Harahan, LA
Phone: 504 734_1156 Fax: 504 734_1195
E-mail: sproehl@blessey.com

Jay Rowan
Marine Accounts Manager
Cummins Southern Plains, Inc.
P.O box 1367 4750 Homestead Rd.
Houston TX 77251-1367
Phone: 281 812-0175 Fax: 281 812-0154
E-mail: jay.w.rowan@cummins.com

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