Modern diesel power for Columbus replica

The Niña, and sister ship Pinta, which has also recently been repowered with a pair of Perkins M135 engines, are owned and operated by British Virgin Islands-based Columbus Foundation, and the Niña is used as a touring floating museum visiting ports across the western hemisphere.

The ships were built in Brazil, using traditional methods and tools, such as axes, adzes, hand saws and chisels, to ensure the closest possible representation of the original ship. Niña is 20m long, has a 5.5m beam and a 2.1m draught. Originally launched in 1991, the replica Niña had 4,000 mile maiden voyage to Costa Rica to take part in a film about Columbus, and since then has visited over 300 ports. The Columbus Foundation felt the original engine was unable to continue operating reliably, and looked for a replacement that would give dependable service with easily-available service and parts. The six-cylinder, wastegate turbocharged, charge air cooled M215C, coupled to a ZF 63 marine transmission, was felt to be suitable, and this setup gives Niña a cruising speed of 8knots with a maximum of 10knots.

Other factors influencing the choice of the M215C’s included compactness, environmental performance and competitive running costs. The engines were supplied by the Perkins distributor for the British Virgin Islands, Parts and Power Ltd.