American Commercial Barge Line has marked the delivery of the towboat, MV Michael J. Kennelly – the first Tier 4-engined, retractable-pilothouse towboat to enter service in the U.S.
Designed by New England-based Farrell & Norton and built at Steiner Construction’s shipyard in Bayou La Batre, Al., Michael J. Kennelly measures 82 feet and is named for the senior vice president of ACBL’s Liquid Division. The boat is being operated by ACBL at the Port of Houston.
It is powered by a pair of Mitsubishi S12R Tier 4 main engines supplied by Laborde Products; their installation marks the debut of this type of marine engine as manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine & Turbocharger.
Unveiled in 2020, individual S12R engines operate at 1,600 rpm, generate 1,260 hp, and utilize selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to meet Tier 4 nitrogen oxide emission standards. The pair aboard the Kennelly, combined, produce a total of 2,520 hp.
“Laborde Products and Mitsubishi are proud to join forces and partner with ACBL, a leader in the inland marine sector,” said Laborde Products’ CEO, Brian Laborde, when the design contract was first announced.
The Tier 4 Mitsubishi engine standards, he said, “represent the strictest of EPA emission requirements for marine diesel engines today and will significantly reduce emissions. Engines that meet these stringent standards promote cleaner air, improved fuel efficiency and better performance.”
The Mitsubishi main engines are paired to Twin Disc 5600 reduction gears and the boat is equipped with “dominator style” Sound Propellers, along with bearings and shaft seals by Thordon.
The boat features FPT 4.5L NEF45TEZ 99 kW generators from Laborde Products and Fernstrum Gridcoolers. Gulf Coast Air & Hydraulics supplied the vessel’s machinery alarms, steering system and pilothouse lift system.
Kennelly is also equipped with a Seahorse wastewater treatment system and has tank space for 28,600 gallons of fuel, 8,400 gallons of potable water, 2,000 gallons of both gear oil and lube oil, 1,000 gallons of both waste oil and hydraulic oil, 3,000 gallons of diesel exhaust fluid, and 28,680 gallons of ballast.
Outside, the vessel features a pair of Wintech deck winches, joiner work by Kern Martin, fendering by Schuyler and paint by Sherwin Williams. With the wheelhouse raised, the boat has an air draft of 41.2 feet. With the wheelhouse lowered, the vessel’s air draft shrinks to 17.7 feet.
Kennelly is equipped with electronics and communications equipment by Wheelhouse Electronics, heating and air by RS Price & Son and sound dampening and vibration reduction by Mascoat Sound Control.