Emmett R. Neal

The first of the identical boats will be delivered in December, with the others to follow in three- to four-month intervals, said Emmett Neal, Crounse vice president-operations.Each boat will measure 140 by 34 feet and will be powered with a pair of EMD 710 diesels, rated at 2,000 hp. each at 900 rpm. through Falk 4.0421:1 reduction gears, he said.Electrical power will be supplied by a pair of John Deere-powered 175 kw., Gulf-Pack generators.

Other business included the election of new RIETF members Mike Monahan, America Commerical Barge Line LLC; Emmett Neal, Crounse Corporation; and Mike Luhr, Luhr Bros., Inc.

Emmett Neal, General Manager of Operations for Crounse Corp of Paducah, Kentucky, conducted the evaluation.

Emmett R. NealCrounse Corporation

"It is causing a significant economic problem for us," said Emmett Neal, Crounse vice president of operations."We're having in some situations to stop boats and tows altogether to wait for conditions to improve.In situations where we're still able to navigate, we've had to cut back on tow sizes so we're able to move."

Crounse operates 20 towboats and 800 barges on the Ohio and all its tributaries, Neal said.