Built by Swift Ships of Morgan City, Louisiana, USA in 1978, the Guarda Costas Costa Rica patrol boat 'Punta Burica' has recently been re-powered. After three decades of work, the boat, like others in her class remains a valuable asset to the coast guard. The force owns several vessels of this class.
In the first of what could become an ongoing project, the 'Punta Burica' has been re-powered with a pair of new Cummins QSK19-M engines replacing a pair of MTUs. These IMO and EPA tier 2 compliant engines are equipped with modular common rail fuel systems. In this patrol boat application the 19-litre engines will each deliver 600kW at 2,100rpm with a Medium Continuous Duty rating. The engines turn three-blade propellers through ZF665 gears with 2:1 reduction.
The aluminium vessel is fitted out to carry a crew of eight to ten people. Tankage is provided for 5.7 square metres of fuel and 1.9 square metres of water. The new engines will give the 'Punta Burica' a patrol speed of 20 knots.
