High performance tractor tug meets Tier IV requirements

Written by Nick Blenkey
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MAY 4, 2016 — A new high performance multipurpose tractor tug for Vessel Chartering LLC designed by Jensen Maritime, Crowley Maritime’s Seattle-based naval architecture and engineering firm, is powered by a pair of 3,385-horsepower Caterpillar 3516 Tier IV engines and is the third tugboat designed by Jensen Maritime with engines meeting EPA Tier IV requirement.

The tug was designed without ballast tanks, eliminating the need for ballast water discharge and therefore ballast water treatment sytems. To maintain proper trim, the vessel will transfer fuel, as necessary.

The vessel is under construction at the JT Marine Inc. shipyard in Vancouver, WA, for delivery in second quarter 2017.

Jointly developed by Vessel Chartering , a wholly owned division of Baydelta Navigation, and Jensen, the 110-ft x 40 ft vessel has the ship assist and escort capabilities of smaller harbor tugs, while delivering the improved towing performance and increased range of larger ocean-going tugs.

The design offers the flexibility to support ship escorts, assists and towing, with the escort capability being enhanced to provide support for assisting the large,18,000 TEU containerships expected to make an increasing number of West Coast port calls.

With an electrically powered, double drum tow winch aft by Rapp USA and an electrically powered hawser winch forward by Markey Machinery as deck machinery, the vessel will be capable of a 93-to-95 short-ton bollard pull. Both winches’ electrical power will remove any chance of a hydraulic oil spill on deck.

The tug is designed to carry up to 123,000 gallons of fuel, 4,300 gallons of fresh water, and up to 4,500 gallons of urea, which is used in the main engine exhaust Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR)  treatment system used to meet Tier IV emissions requirements.

A water maker is being installed for potable water when at sea.

A large pilot house will provide all-around visibility, and the deckhouse has an open feel with a large mess and lounge area along with accommodations for a 10-person crew.

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