Kohler Marine Sets Sail Aboard the Hermione

Kohler Marine, manufacturer of diesel and gasoline marine generators for a wide range of pleasure and commercial craft applications, announced its participation in the Hermione-Lafayette Voyage 2015. This historic voyage includes an Atlantic crossing as well as a tour of the eastern United States by an authentic reproduction of the Hermione, the 18th century frigate that carried the Marquis de Lafayette to America in 1780 with news that France was sending more than 5,000 troops to help fight the British. The modern-day Hermione – at 185 ft. tall, 216 ft. long and carrying a crew of 75 – was built to exacting specifications over a 17-year period in Rochefort, France. She departed Port des Barques in April and made landfall at Yorktown, Virginia on June 5, 2015.  

Deep inside the wooden hull of the Hermione, three Kohler Marine generators are among the limited modern machines incorporated into the ship’s design for enhanced safety and comfort. A 300 kW and a 400 kW generator provide electrical power to two propellers (pods), which are utilized for port maneuvering as well as to help guard against no-wind conditions at sea. An 80 kW generator is also on board and delivers continuous power for the ship’s electronics. All three generators were selected based upon their performance, reduced noise levels and low vibration. Minimizing noise and vibration is especially important on a historic, wooden ship such as the Hermione to help replicate the experience of sailing in the 1780s.

“Everyone at Kohler Marine is proud to be playing a vital role in the overall performance of the Hermione as she sails along the eastern coast of the United States this summer,” said Bas Van Steeg, regional sales manager for Kohler Marine. “We’re aligned with the spirit of adventure, innovation, and technical achievement represented by this project and we’re thrilled that the Hermione is now being celebrated around the globe.”

The frigate’s tour of the eastern U.S. is now underway and will conclude on July 18 in Nova Scotia, after visiting 12 ports. The public is invited to view the Hermione and participate in a wide range of dockside events, interpretive programs and select onboard tours.