Workboat Annual
Hydralift Skeg Use Gaining Speed
By Chris Martin
A device that increases the efficiency
of barges is gaining in popularity on the
West Coast, especially for Seattle to
Alaska and Southeast Alaska runs.
Many people report that Hydralift skegs
substantially increase the efficiency of
towed barges. This results in either
increased towing speed or reduced fuel
consumption because the horsepower
required to tow at the same speed
decreases.
The Lynden Companies, Alaska Rail-
belt Marine (ARM) and Alaska Marine
Lines (AML), have several barges with
Hydralift skegs and another currently
under construction. They are using the
barges on Seattle to Alaska runs and
runs within Southeast Alaska. Accord-
ing to George Williamson, Senior Port
Engineer for ARB, AML, and Bering
Marine Corp., the Hydralifts "seem to be
[work] as advertised," which is
"increase the [towing] speed or reduce
the fuel burned."
Western Towboat Company, Inc.,
which does all the towing for ARM and
AML, has two gravel barges with
Hydralift skegs themselves. They use
them on all sorts of runs, including a
weekly Seattle to Victoria run. North-
land Services, Inc, has two barges,
which are pulled by Dunlap Towing, on
Seattle to Southeast Alaska runs. Foss
Maritime has one barge they use for
Prince Rupert to Whittier service. There
is even one use by Young Brothers in
Hawaii. Seaspan International still use
one of the three first built, and in fact
was one of the original users of barges
with the Hydralift skegs.
Hydralift skegs were invented by Joe
Gruzling, president of Nautican
Research and Development Ltd. in Van-
couver Canada, 20 years ago. In gener-
al, skegs are required so a barge will
track straight. Just like regular skegs on
barges, there are two Hydralift skegs per
barge, one on each side-port and star-
board, located under the rake. Unlike a
regular skeg, which is like a long single
hydrofoil, each Hydralift skeg is made
up of three narrow foils supported by a
horizontal foil that holds the vertical
ones in place. The vertical ones are
angled inwards, similarly to a normal
skeg, while the horizontal foil is angled
downward, almost at the same angle as
the rake.
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