Bayou Black Shipyard of Gibson, La., recently delivered the pushboat Bengal Sundance and the crewboat Sundance 7 to Sundance Marine of Houston. The steel hull of the Bengal Sundance has a length of 60 feet, beam of 25 feet, and depth midship of 9 feet. The all-aluminum Sundance 7 is 42 feet long with a beam of 13 feet and a midship depth of 6.5 feet.

Main propulsion for the Bengal Sundance is provided by twin Cummins KTA 1150 diesels, each rated 470 bhp at 1,800, driving 4-bladed, 58 by 44 inch stainless steel propellers through Twin Disc model 520 reverse/reduction gears. Shafts are 6-inch cold rolled steel, built up with stainless. Starting air for the main engines is provided by two compressors.

A special feature of the pushboat is the 36-inch-wide, ½-inch-thick push knees fabricated by the shipyard. The main cabin and pilothouse are constructed of aluminum, giving the boat a lower center of gravity. Another advantage of the aluminum construction will be reduced maintenance.

Electric power for the Bengal Sundance is supplied by two GM Detroit Diesel 30-kw generator sets. Electronic equipment includes an Epsco model 504 radar, two Drake MR-155 VHF radios, and a Raytheon Ray 350 loudhailer system. The boat will be used primarily in moving inshore drilling rigs and barges.

The Sundance 7 is powered by two GM Detroit Diesel Allison 6-71 engines, each rated 174 bhp at 1,800 rpm, driving 3-bladed, Columbian 28 by 30-inch propellers via 2-inch stainless steel shafts. Fuel is carried in an independent 300-gallon tank located in the lazerette. The engines are electric-start, with power provided by two 12-volt dc batteries.

Electronic equipment in the Sundance 7 includes a standard Horizon VHF-FM radio and a model 240 Furuno radar. Main engine controls are Morse model MT; the steering system is a self-contained hydraulic type. The vessel is certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry a total of 16 passengers and a crew of two.

Pushboat Bengal Sundance is powered by two Cummins KTA 1150 diesel engines.

GM Detroit Diesel Allison 6-71 engines power all-aluminum crewboat Sundance 7.