(PADUCAH, Ky.) — Hines Furlong Line recently brought three new towboats into service in the company’s ongoing 11-boat construction program built around Mitsubishi propulsion supplied by Laborde Products. The series creates a unified fleet with consistent power, predictable maintenance and strong day-to-day performance.
Sun Valley, the second vessel completed in the program, was built by Eymard Marine Construction & Repair of Harvey, La. The towboat runs on two Mitsubishi S6R2 Tier 3 engines rated at 803 horsepower at 1,400 rpm. Two Laborde-supplied 65-kW generators provide auxiliary power to support onboard systems, lighting and vessel operations. Sized to match Sun Valley’s operating profile, the generators give crews confidence that essential systems remain powered throughout long days on the river.
The third vessel in the program, Oxford, was built at Intracoastal Iron Works in Bourg, La. Oxford is driven by three Mitsubishi S6R2 Tier 3 engines rated at 803 horsepower at 1,400 rpm. Like the other vessels in the program, Oxford is equipped with three 65-kW generators supplied by Laborde, reinforcing the standardized approach that allows Hines Furlong to scale its fleet without introducing unnecessary complexity.
Sawtooth, also built by Eymard Marine Construction & Repair, is the fourth towboat in the program. It is also powered by two Mitsubishi S6R2 Tier 3 engines rated at 803 horsepower at 1,400 rpm. Sawtooth also features 65-kW generators supplied by Laborde.
Hines Furlong said that the pace of the 11-boat program requires suppliers who stay organized and responsive from one build to the next.
“With a series like this, you need suppliers who follow through,” said Karl Morley, senior engineer of new construction and leased vessels at Hines Furlong. “Laborde stays involved, they answer the phone, and they help the yard keep the job on schedule. That consistency saves time and avoids headaches.”
Laborde noted that strong coordination has been a defining part of the partnership with Hines Furlong.
“The Mitsubishi S6R2 platform gives operators a consistent power package across the fleet,” said Brian Laborde, president of Laborde Products. “For (these vessels), that means predictable performance, a familiar maintenance profile, and equipment crews already know how to run.”
– Laborde Products
