Gulf Island Fabrication Inc., Houma, La., delivered the 180’x40’11’6” towboat Rick Calhoun to Marquette Transportation Co. Aug. 19. Plans are to christen the vessel Sept. 19 on the Mississippi River in New Orleans.
The vessel is powered by two Tier 3-compliant EMD 20-710 GC3 engines that produce 4,200 hp at 900 rpm. Through Lufkin RHS3200HG marine gears, that engines turn a pair of 5-bladed Sound Propeller 120”x133” propellers in Kort nozzles. With an EMI steering system, the propulsion package gives the towboat a speed of 8 knots.
Ship’s service power is provided by two John Deere-powered 222-kW gensets. There is a pair of Koden 25kW radars with 9’ arrays. There's tankage for 136,000 gals. of fuel; 1,600 gals. of lube oil; 31,500 gals. of potable water; and 97,000 gals. in ballast.
