Case Study: Olson Marine Inc extends tug life and boosts performance with Cummins QSK19 repower

New Power for Handsome Tug

Olson Marine Inc. needed to extend the life and performance of its 75-foot tug, Norman O, which had been running on older Caterpillar D348 engines. The company turned to Cummins and its local dealer, Southeast Diesel & Electric in Ketchikan, Alaska, for a marine repower solution that would improve efficiency and ensure EPA Tier 3 compliance.

Cummins supplied a pair of QSK19 MCRS engines rated at 750 HP each, along with controls, gear integration, and related installation work completed over a three-month project. The repower also included ballast adjustments and full alignment work, and the results were strong: the tug returned to service with a top speed of 12 knots, peak-torque speed of 10.9 knots, and fuel burn as low as 18 GPH per engine.

Olson Marine Inc

Rick Olson

Owner/Operator