Volvo Penta D13s repower Maid of the Mist

11/30/15

“We’ve stayed with Volvo Penta because if there is a problem they are responsive.”

The well-known tourist boats, Maid of the Mist VI and VII, provided 1.4 million passengers an opportunity to view Niagara Falls in 2015.

Maid of the Mist VI, an all-steel, 80 foot, 145-ton ship was repowered this year with two, six-cylindar Volvo Penta D13 MH 400-horsepower, keelcooled engines with Twin Disc MG5114DC transmission @ 3.43:1.

When engine repower talks began in May 2013, Volvo Penta engines were the first choice of the Maid of the Mist staff. Though there were some challenges at delivery, a winter snowstorm, as well as engine room modifications that were needed to meet the size of the engine and gears, the engines were successfully mounted and perfectly aligned with the existing propeller status.

Jon Schultz, vice president of operations, Maid of the Mist, who has been with the company more than 50 years, comments on the project.

“The installation team did a great job putting the engines in place. The engines are performing well. We have been happy over the years with Volvo Penta engines, and didn’t look at any other engines for the repower.”

Now, the engines have more than 1,900 hours on them. Maid of the Mist captains have been pleased with the performance of the engines and the new electronic controls, which allow the engines to be very responsive.

“The new D13s burn clearer and are more efficient. There is no black smoke on the stern.” sats Schultz. “Volvo Penta has serviced us very well. We’ve stayed with the company because if there is a problem they are responsive.”

According to Schultz, the Maid of the Mist VII will be repowered with the same engine package in December.