Posted 5/25/00 at 3:04:PM

USACE Repair Fleet Gains Towing Power

The USACE Louisville District put a new inland waterways towboat into service. J. C. Thomas will greatly increase the USACE's towing power on the Ohio River system, improving transport speed, reliability and safety for their floating repair fleet used for lock and dam maintenance and repair.

The 150 ft. vessel was designed and built by Jeffboat LLC, Jeffersonville, Ind., in coordination with the USACE's Marine Design Center, Philadelphia.

Propulsion power comes from twin Cat 3606 marine diesel engines rated 2,320 bhp (1,730 bkW) at 900 rpm. The 3606s drive Haley air-clutch gear boxes with 4:1 reduction ratio, turning Sound Propeller 100 x 95 in. wheels inside custom built Jeffboat nozzles. Caterpillar dealer, Whayne Power Systems, Louisville, provided all engines, gears and Mathers controls and disc-type shaft brakes. J. C. Thomas replaces a 30-year-old, 75-ft. vessel of 1,100 bhp (820 bkW). The new vessel improves reliability and safety for the USACE, and added power will increase towing speed for the Louisville District's substantial floating repair fleet that includes multiple work, power, and equipment barges. By late summer, this fleet will also include a new heavy-lift derrick boat currently under construction.

Auxiliary power on the new tow boat will be provided by two Cat 3306B generator sets, each rated 170 ekW at 1,800 rpm.