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crane. The engine mounts are either modified or replaced, and
the replacement engines (in new or rebuilt condition) are
installed. The towboat’s air, water, fuel, and exhaust systems
are then modified to the extent necessary to accommodate the new
or rebuilt engines, and the new or rebuilt engines are connected
to these systems of the towboat. The decking and exhaust stacks
are reinstalled, and the new or rebuilt engines are operationally
tested, thus completing the repowering process. The process of
repowering a towboat with new or rebuilt engines takes
approximately 3 to 5 months.
The representative engines were no longer being manufactured
by General Motors during the years in issue. The costs
associated with installing two new or rebuilt Electro-motive
Division (EMD) engines in a representative towboat (excluding the
costs of the engines themselves and any costs associated with
replacing a reduction gear system, a tailshaft, a propeller or
other equipment) would have been approximately $200,000 during
the years in issue. If modifications or upgrades are required
for the reduction gear, tailshafts, propellers, or other
equipment in connection with a repowering, the installation costs
of a repowering could reach $500,000. In addition, because a
repowering takes 3 to 5 months, that results in a loss of use of
the vessel for a period of time far in excess of the 10 to 12
days for the procedures performed by petitioners.
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