Jensen Maritime designs ASD tugboats for Caribbean TugZ

Jensen Maritime Consultants, Seattle, WA, a Crowley subsidiary, recently started the design of two 92-foot, 50-ton-bollard-pull Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugboats for Caribbean TugZ, an affiliate of SEACOR Holdings Inc., for operation in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

The tugs are being specifically designed with environmental protection in mind. Oil tanks are being isolated from the hull, which reduces the chances of an oil spill in the event the hull is breached. This feature was added to protect the environmentally sensitive areas where these vessels will operate and required Jensen to redesign and alter many areas of the vessels’ basic structural design and piping systems.

“We are pleased and appreciative to have the opportunity to work on these environmentally friendly boats,” said Johan Sperling, vice president of Jensen. “Our work illustrates our commitment to providing solutions for customers no matter the scope. Projects like this one continue to help define Jensen as the industry leader in vessel engineering and design.”

The pair of tugboats, which will be built at Great Lakes Shipyard in Cleveland, will meet a wide range of operational parameters, including ship assist, tanker escort, and emergency firefighting duties. They will be outfitted with a pair of Caterpillar C280-6 Tier 2 diesel engines, rated at 2,320 hp at 900 RPM each, and two Rolls-Royce US 205FP Z-drives with 90 inch diameter wheels. The package will give each tug an estimated running speed of 12 knots.

The tugs feature full Fire Fighting Vessel-Type 1 (FFV1) class capabilities, and are equipped with a pair of 5,200 gpm monitors equipped for foam; double-skinning all-oil tanks; a JonRie double-drum winch to provide full back up for ship handling; and an independent black water tank to minimize corrosion of the hull plate.

January 4, 2012