Tug Repower

Vidalia Dock & Storage, Vidalia, La., recently repowered its 65 x 24 ft. tug Sonny J with new Mitsubishi diesel engines. Vidalia provides tug services and fleeting space for 100 barges, boat/barge dry dock capability as well as limestone sales.

Purchased by Vidalia in early 2018, the vessel had been equipped with a pair of Cummins K19 engines rated 600 hp. With the goal of EPA compliance, it was repowered with two fully mechanical Mitsubishi S6R-Y3MPTAW Tier 3 engines from Mitsubishi distributor Laborde Products, Covington, La. The engines have a displacement of 24.5 L each and are rated 684 hp at 1800 rpm. They are paired with Twin Disc 7:1 transmissions.

The repower was performed by 363 Dry Dock, a subsidiary of Vidalia Dock. After commissioning and inaugural inspection run within Vidalia’s fleeting space, vessel owner Carla Jenkins said “This boat is a real beast — the Mitsubishi engines are the smoothest running engines I’ve ever experienced”.

Laborde Products supplies heavy-duty engines, diesel and natural gas-powered equipment, service and support for marine and industrial markets in the Gulf Coast region. In addition to being an engine distributor, Laborde Products also offers a range of custom engine-driven equipment.