Experienced Louisiana Ship Captain Joins Voith Turbo Marine
York, PA – Voith Turbo Inc., has brought Captain David Shirah, Jr. aboard as a Representative handling the Gulf Coast region of its Marine Division. Captain Shirah is a 20+ year veteran of the coastal and inland waterways.
Mr. Lee Erdman, Manager of Voith’s Marine Division in North America noted that “the Captain is a strong addition to the Voith Marine team in the US and will boost our focus on the inland river and work boat markets by providing the level of contact and technical support required for our customers.†Mr. Erdman further noted that “Captain Shirah will support marine requirements along the Gulf Coast with strong backing from our North American support facilities in Houston, TX, and York, PA.â€
The Marine Division of Voith Turbo is responsible for Service, Support, and Sales of Voith Marine products that include the well-known Voith Schneider Propeller, Radial Propeller, In-Line Thruster, and Linear Jet.
Captain Shirah is a fourth generation river mariner and currently an active member and pilot in the New Orleans Baton Rouge Steamship Pilot Association. Starting his career on the deck with American Commercial Barge Lines, he moved through their wheelhouse apprentice program advancing to Captain. His various work experiences include the Delta Steamboat Line and numerous passenger vessels, owner / operator of Versatility Marine and service on the Louisiana State Board of Steamship Pilot Examiners and Pilot Fee Commission. In recent years he has been sought out as an operational consultant and recognized with a patent on a flanking rudder control system.
Voith Turbo, the specialist for hydrodynamic drive, coupling and braking systems for road, rail and industrial applications, as well as for ship propulsion systems, is a Group Division of Voith AG. Voith is setting the standard in the paper, energy, mobility, and service markets. Established on January 1, 1867, Voith is now one of the largest family-owned businesses in Europe, with 39,000 employees, 5.1 billion euro in sales, and over 280 locations worldwide.
