Sause Brothers Towing Repowers Ocean Tug

Based in Coos Bay Oregon, Sause Brothers Towing has been towing between Pacific Northwest and Southern Californian ports for over 50 years. A new double-hulled 105,000-barrel oil barge, Sunset Bay, is currently alongside at the company shipyard in Coos Bay. With the hull built at the Gunderson yard in Portland it is being outfitted by Sause.

Also at the yard, the ocean going tug Powhatan is undergoing an extensive repower that will see a pair of 850 HP engines replaced with a pair of Cummins KTA50 M2 mains each rated for 1500 HP at 1800 RPM. A new pair of Reintjes WAF772 marine gears with 7.45:1 ratios have also been installed in the 105x30-foot tug. The existing 9-inch diameter shafts were replaced with new shafts of the same diameter, while the stuffing boxes were eliminated in favor of a pair of Kobelco Eagle Marine water seals.

With the old engines, the boat had open wheels, with the new engines, modified Kort 19-A 92-in. nozzles and 91x89-inch four-blade skewed propellers from Sound Propeller in Seattle are being added. Quad rudders, two behind each prop, are being installed to improve maneuverability especially in tight island harbors. Built in the 1970s at Halter Marine the Powhatan has, at 1700 HP, been relatively under powered. "The old engines were worn out," explains Mark Babcock, engineering general manager for Sause, "And at the old horsepower the boat was an under utilized asset. With the new 3000-hp we expect the utilization to increase by as much as 75 percent.

The bollard pull will go from an estimated 40,000 pounds to around 100,000 pounds allowing it to tow larger barges at faster speeds." The Powatan will initially be assigned to towing general cargo barges on the inter-island Hawaiian runs. While she would not have been considered for towing oil barges with her old power, that is now an option according to Babcock. The Commission Authorizes a French aid scheme to promote inland waterway transport

The Commission today agreed to a French aid scheme for inland waterway transport. This scheme will be in force during the period 2004-2007 with a budget of between €14.5 and €15 million per annum. The aim of this new scheme is to encourage the development of inland waterway transport in France through fleet modernisation and by promoting the occupation of inland waterway carrier. Any inland waterway freight carrier operating in France is potentially eligible for this aid. The scheme takes over the inland waterway transport aid plan for the period 2001-2003.[1] The new scheme also proposes new aid designed to take better account of current market conditions.

The aid plan is in two main parts. The first part is aimed at modernising the fleet and improving its capacity for carrying specific goods in order to meet the needs of shipping agents and industry while improving its environmental quality. Improving the general technical features of vessels should make it possible to save energy and reduce pollution. The aid will also cover targeted research and development projects to meet an explicit demand and investment in new information and communication technologies.

The second part concerns the promotion and renewal of the occupation of inland waterway carrier through aid for continuous training and aid for the transfer of French vessels to young buyers.

It is proposed that when freight vessels are sold to buyers under 35 years of age, new entrants, or wage-earners setting up their own businesses, aid not exceeding €43/DWT[2] should be paid if the selling price does not exceed €152/DWT. The aid will also be capped at 30% of the total price and at €46 000. The Commission took the view that this aid is compatible with the competition rules.