LaForce to Construct Pushboat

Industry veteran towboater Autry Dufrene of Belle Chasse, La. has contracted the Bayou La Batre, Ala. LaForce Shipyard. Measuring 74 x 28 ft., the 1,600 hp pushboat houses "a semi-camber" design from keel to the chine on the underside of the aft hull. Scheduled for delivery sometime during February, the vessel's power will be provided by a pair of Cummins 12-cylinder KTA38 MO engines developing 800 hp each. The engines will be linked to Twin Disc MG-5301 gears with a 6.39:1 ratio turning 74 x 60 in. propellers.