Conrad Delivers 6,000hp Towboat to Canal Barge

Conrad Shipyard said it delivered the 6,000-horsepower towboat, H. Merritt ‘Heavy’ Lane, Jr., to Canal Barge Company, Inc. (CBC). Built at Conrad Amelia, the Subchapter M-compliant vessel measures 166 feet by 49 by 12 and is powered by EPA Tier IV-compliant Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) engines.

The H. Merritt ‘Heavy’ Lane, Jr. utilizes a time-proven design concept that has been enhanced to modern standards through advanced engineering analysis, the shipbuilder said, adding efficient operation and attention to crew accommodations and noise reduction were paramount in the design process. Designed by naval architects MiNO Marine, the vessel has a unique hull form to ensure adequate water flow to the propellers in all operating conditions. The design allows the transfer of full power through the propellers, minimizing propeller vibrations transferred to the hull due to unsteady water flow. The design reduces the potential for flow-induced vibration, ensuring greater crew comfort and reduced noise.

Conrad said crew comfort was considered throughout all phases of the design process and is evident in the finished product. The superstructure is divided into two sections, one floating and one fixed. All living accommodations are located in the floating section which sits atop air bellow vibration isolators designed to minimize noise and vibration transmission from the operating machinery. Mike Stone from Canal commented, “The floating house, along with strict attention to detail related to the installation of the joiner system, has resulted in a vessel that is extremely quiet and comfortable for the crew during all operating ranges.”

“We are excited to bring online this new state-of-the-art towing vessel, which is the first 6,000 HP EMD of its kind on the inland waterways,” said H. Merritt Lane, III, President and CEO of Canal Barge Company. “The Heavy Lane will clearly be the flagship of our growing towboat fleet.”

Conrad Shipyard Chairman and CEO, Johnny Conrad, said, “It’s always gratifying to deliver another new vessel to a long-term and valued customer. “The craftsmanship that went into the design and construction of this modern towboat is a testament to our shipbuilding team and their unwavering commitment to quality in every detail.”