OCTOBER 2018 • FOGHORN 15 FOGHORNFOCUS: MARINE PROPULSION THE SCANIA MARINE SOLUTION. Out there, confidence in performance, reliability and operating economy are the only things that count. With this in mind, we created the Scania Marine Solution: An array of flexible products paired with guidance and installation support from Scania. Whatever your specification, we will provide you with the optimal Scania Marine Solution. Power at work, every inch of the way. Complete and Committed. www.scaniausa.com Potomac Riverboat Co. Potomac Taxi I and II Powered by twin Scania DI13 081M engines POWER AT WORK strategic climate action plan to achieve a sustainable and thriving region. The upgrade was partially funded with a federal grant. In addition to meeting emissions, the new engines prepare the vessel for years of reliable water taxi service. Vessel reliability is the cornerstone of King County’s service. King County Water Taxi maintains an excellent track record, with 99 percent reliability and 99 percent of the sailings departing on time (within five minutes of schedule). When one of the main ferries is out of service, the Spirit of Kingston is rotated into service on the 10-minute route between downtown Seattle and West Seattle. The aluminum catamaran vessel jets across Puget Sound with four seawater aftercooled 13.5L marine engines. The power-dense John Deere engines are lighter than the vessel’s previous engines, shedding nearly 1 ton (2,000 pounds) of weight. The 559-kW (750-hp) engine’s power-to-weight ratio also offers a significant performance boost over other engines considered. The 14-year-old Spirit of Kingston now cruises three knots faster — which is an asset in this bustling city. “The Spirit of Kingston can operate at speeds up to 39 knots now,” says Ron Panzero, King County’s Marine Operations and Maintenance Manager. “That’s pretty fast for a 70-foot (23-meter) ferry.” n About the Author Carl J. Micu is John Deere Power System’s Manager, of North and South America OEM Sales Engines and Drivetrain. He has been with John Deere for more than 13 years, and is an ardent supporter of PVA, serving in many capacities including the Associate Council and the PVA Board of Directors. He has an engineering degree and a MBA. The John Deere PowerTech repower is expected to reduce ex- haust emissions by 22%, particulates by 45%, and decrease fuel consump- tion by 7%. Photo: John Deere Power Systems/ King County Water Taxi.