- 16 -
question were not performed periodically. If the procedures in
question are performed at appropriate intervals, a towboat engine
can continue operating safely, efficiently, and profitably for up
to 40 years.
The performance of the procedures described above maintains
the relative value of a towboat, but it does not increase the
value. The value of a towboat declines as it ages even if the
procedures are performed. Any increase in the value of a towboat
immediately after the performance of the procedures in question
would generally be limited to the cost of performing the
procedures, or $100,000 for a representative towboat.
D. Petitioners’ Procedures vs. Repowering
Occasionally, a towboat owner may desire to replace existing
engines with new or rebuilt engines, to standardize the types of
engines in a fleet, to increase the towing capacity, or to
replace a dysfunctional engine. This process (referred to in the
industry as “repowering”) involves drydocking the towboat.
Removal or repowering of main engines is a complicated
process requiring disconnecting the engines from the water, fuel,
air, and exhaust systems. In addition, the exhaust stacks on top
of the towboat’s main deck must be completely removed, as well as
those portions of the decking located underneath each stack and
over the main engine room. The engines being removed are
disconnected from their mounts and are removed with the aid of a
Page: Previous 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 NextLast modified: May 25, 2011