Cort

[CottonwoodStudios]

This may well be possible, though it's not my area of "expertise." I was a deckie. Didn't spend much time in the engine room except to take pictures, etc. Given she's never had a repower, it really wouldn't surprise me. She's still running on the original engines. But I was told that the reason we ran on 2 was to kill time between ports instead of dropping a hook on arrival.

[LudingtonRob]

I thought it was widely acknowledged that her engines were tired, and that Interlake would like to repower her. I seem to recall a message string to that effect from a year or so back.

[CottonwoodStudios]

There have been times when we were running early and there were a couple boats waiting ahead of us at Burns Harbor or Superior where they would shut down an engine on each side so that we were only running on one engine per screw. I was told by the 3rd mate at the time that by doing this round trip, the company would save somewhere around $50k in fuel.

[Guest]

Maybe to conserve fuel they would run one shaft but companies like Interlake and ASC would fix problems with the engines, especially on a footer. The last thing you need is dropping a valve and blowing out a piston right as they are making the turn into the rock cut with 50,000+ tons of cargo. Older engines like Nordbergs and other engines, parts are hard to get but not for an EMD's. I know ASC has a really good PM *Preventative Maintenance* program on their boats and do a good job of pulling power packs when the 30,000 hour limit is reached and other small maintenance issues with Mains and other equipment on the boats. I would find it very hard to believe that ASC and Interlake would let their equipment go to trash.

[Guest]

I was looking for the past posts, but I believe that it was mentioned that her engines were tired to the point that she was only running on one engine at times with reduced speeds. I could be wrong with the details but that is what I thought I read.

[Mpower361]

Thanks for the update. I saw the pictures later yesterday and assumed that it was the inspection.

[CottonwoodStudios]

Denny is correct. She is in Bay Ship for a 5 year and winter lay-up. As for the engine work, I'm assuming you're referring to the engine explosion earlier in the season. My understanding is that the repairs made after the incident were permanent and no further major repairs necessary in relation to that incident. She is due to have her shuttle belt replaced and the end rollers refurbished. She received a temporary shuttle belt the same trip the explosion occurred. The temporary belt is a couple feet narrower, so wasn't as effective as it should be. A major issue seen this season was the belt slipping because the rollers were worn down to the point of not being able to grip the belt. The result was mountains of taconite piling up behind the shuttle on the inboard side.

[Steve G]

Past posts have stated that she is in need of some major engine work, any news on that?

[Denny]

The Cort is in Sturgeon Bay for both her 5-year USCG survey and also to be re-painted. Her season is done and she will not return to service until Spring of 2012.

[Mpower361]

does anyone know what work is being done to the Cort in Sturgeon Bay?