2009 KKIS Season Commences

The 2009 KK Integrated Shipping season officially began the second week of April 2009. The James L. Kuber /Tug Victory departed Menominee, MI on April 13 and the Lewis J. Kuber /Tug Moore departed on April 18, 2009, both headed for the s tone quarries to service their customers.

The vessels experienced a very productive winter lay-up of maintenance, painting, and special projects since arriving in Menominee in December 2008.

The James L. Kuber had a complete rebuild of the hatch crane. Various other maintenance projects were done.

The Tug Victory underwent major work this off season. The pilot house tower was stabilized by adding four ten inch pipes connecting the lower house to the upper house. The entire exhaust system was rebuilt, a new Fast system for black water was installed, fuel tanks were re-piped, and the steam generator was rebuilt.

The Lewis J. Kuber was completely re-piped for a new King Gauge system, the boom cylinder was repacked, Conveyor gearboxes were rebuilt, and a lot of maintenance work was completed.

The Tug Moore underwent a major upgrade of the second floor staterooms with beautiful custom cabinetry, and new flooring. The changes will provide greatly improved living accommodations for the sailors. Similar carpentry work was completed on the Tug Victory last year. In addition, the Moore received all new heads for the GE engines.

The two KKIS Integrated Tug Barges set-off for their 2009 season with some loads booked and fingers crossed with the economy in the worst slump since the early Eighties.