Derecktor launches LNG escort tug

Derecktor Shipyards recently launched the 128.4 ft. tug Independence at its Bridgeport, Connecticut yard.

The tug is being built for Boston Towing and Transport. When delivered later this month, it will be based in Gloucester, Massachusetts, under a long term contract with Neptune LNG, an affiliate of SUEZ LNG North America.

Designed by Robert Allan Ltd, the vessel features 5,400 hp Rolls Royce CPP-255 Z drives with convertible pitch propellers. This allows the FIFI Class one fire pumps to be driven off the two 16V4000 MTU M61 main engines. This provides significant weight and cost savings by eliminating the fire pump engines found on other FIFI class one vessels.

LOA: 128. 4 feet

LWL: 119.6 feet

Beam: 44.4 feet

Draft: 16 feet

Depth 19.5 feet

Hull Material: Steel

Super Structure: Steel

Propulsion:

Z Drives: Rolls Royce CPP-255

Fi-Fi-1: Inmar/FFS/Nyjus, 425 ft cannon range at 10,500 gal/min

Speed: 13 knots minimum at full power