The following is the text of a news release from Cummins Hotips:
(BAYOU LABATRE, Ala.) — Over the years, Rodriguez Shipbuilding Inc. of Bayou LaBatre, Ala., has probably delivered more shallow-draft tugs than any other U.S. yard. Their signature lugger-type tug design, with its distinctive aft cabin and wheelhouse, has a strong following amongst U.S. Gulf Coast operators servicing near shore petro-operations. But they also built to a variety of designs.
This March the yard delivered a 75-by-28-foot model bow tug to Morgan City-based Garber Bros. Inc. and Sea Cypress LLC. The housework, built forward on the beamy hull, suggests a conventional G of M tug. It is what is below the water line that will matter to the owner and charterers. The boat has a total of nearly 2,000 HP generated by three 660-HP six-cylinder Cummins QSK19 marine engines each turning a propeller through Twin Disc MGX5222 gears with 6:1 ratios. The triple screw configuration allows the design to maintain a shallow 10-foot moulded depth and, depending on load conditions, operate in as little as 8 feet of water.
Named the Sea Cypress, the new boat is built to a design by yard owner Joseph Rodriguez. It is a near sister to the Sea Oak delivered to Garber Bros. in 2007. The earlier boat had mechanical Cummins KTA19 engines rated at 600 HP each while the new boat has the EPA Tier 3 compliant electronic version of the 19-liter displacement engine at 660 HP each. Another modification is the addition of an elevated aluminum pilothouse providing a 38-foot eye level view to the operator.
Set up for both towing and pushing, the tug is fitted with SMATCO deck equipment including a waterfall type winch for anchor handling or towing. The stern deck winch can also allow the versatile tug to make up to barges for pushing by way of bridles running through stern deck rollers and side deck rollers.
Capacities include accommodation for six crew, 37,000 gallons of fuel, 6,700 gallons of water and 300 gallons of lube oil. Electrical needs will be met with a pair of 45 kW gensets.
Also under construction at Rodriguez Shipyard under yard 310 is a very shallow draft lugger tug with a pair of Cummins QSK19 engines each powering a propeller in tunnels to achieve a six-foot operating draft. The Sea Otter is slated for delivery in June 2014.
