Chouest’s Proven Leadership
Applied to River Industry
ECO
Late in 2000, Edison Chouest
Offshore and Kongsberg Simrad
announced a joint venture which would
design and build a unique propulsion
system for inland marine use. In July of
2001, the joint venture, Rivertech
Systems, LLC, unveiled the ITS
(Integrated Tug System) 101, a
75’x35’x14’ bow steering module.
Many observers feel it lives up to its
advance billing as a revolutionary
combination of ECO’s technology,
design and construction capabilities,
and Kongsberg Simrad’s control
technology.
Already profiled by Workboat
Magazine in its September 2001
issue, the editors of that publication
have slated an even larger feature on
the vessel in their November issue.
Called a “point barge” or “bow
steering module” by most, essentially
the vessel is used with inland barge
tows to provide additional handling
and maneuverability for towboat pilots,
while also drastically improving their
transit time. The point barge is usually
placed in the front of the tow, but its
design is such that it can be
independently operated to assist in
positioning barges within the tow, or
placed at any point in the tow to
improve control and ultimately, speed.
“It features a Voith Schneider
propulsion system that provides up to
2,600 additional horsepower in any
direction,” noted ECO Senior Vice
President Roger White.
“This allows for more barges per
tow and reduced transit time,” said
ECO’s Abram Hunt. “This is key in an
industry where the priority is getting the
product to market.”
Designed and built at North
American Shipbuilding in Larose, LA,
the vessel’s propulsion comes courtesy
of two Caterpillar 3512 engines, each
1,200 horsepower. Kongsberg
Simrad provided the electronics and
remote-operated controls, while the
cycloidal propeller units, marine gear,
thrusters and steering system were
equipped by Voith Schneider.
The vessel provides capacity for
60,100 gallons of fuel, and has a
U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of
Inspection. The point barge was first
tested in area waterways