M/V Donna Rushing featured in video news report on Maritime TV

The M/V Donna Rushing, above, is gaining more attention from the inland maritime industry.

AEP River Operations’ sustainable towboat, the M/V Donna Rushing, is capturing more attention from the inland maritime industry, as it is featured in a news report on Maritime TV.

View the video on MaritimeTV.com.

Originally built in 1973, the Donna Rushing in 2011 received a complete top-to-bottom renovation and was equipped with the most fuel-efficient, low-emission, energy-saving equipment available.

The towboat is powered by two new fuel-efficient 12-cylinder engines that run on biofuel, and the those engines also heat the boat’s water supply, as well as heat for the boat’s wheelhouse, galley and cabins. The engines are filterless, and environmentally friendly hydraulic oils and lubricants are used. Many other sustainable improvements were made in the areas of safety, the galley, lighting, water supply and other areas, including man-overboard devices that trigger alarms to notify the crew if a crew member enters the water.

AEP River Operations has received a number of awards for the upgrades to the Donna Rushing, including the William M. Benkert Gold Award for Environmental Excellence from the U.S. Coast Guard, the WorkBoat Environmental Initiative Award from the industry journal WorkBoat, and the Growing Green Award from the U.S. Green Building Council, Missouri Gateway Chapter.