Jensen to design new series of Moran tugboats

Written by Nick Blenkey
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New 86 ft tugs will have bollard pull of 68 tons (Image: Jensen Maritime)

Jensen Maritime Consultants, the Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering subsidiary of Crowley Maritime Corp., has been awarded a contract to design ship assist and escort tugboats for Moran Towing Corp., New Canaan, Conn.

To be built at the Washburn & Doughty Shipyard in East Boothbay, Me., the new boats will be the latest in a series of tugboats designed by Jensen for Moran over the past decade. New features include upgrades to meet the latest ABS rules, U.S. Coast Guard subchapter M regulations, and U.S. EPA Tier IV requirements.

The upgrades will ensure the vessels meet current and future demands for performance and maneuverability, and that piping and electrical systems are consistent with Moran’s larger fleet of tugs and barges.

“Jensen’s team is pleased to continue our long-standing work for Moran, designing tugs that meet high standards for maneuverability while delivering compact power in highly capable vessels,” said Bryan Nichols, director, business development, at Jensem. “We look forward to contributing to the success of the Moran ship assist and escort fleet.”

The 86 feet long and 36 feet wide series of tugboats has been designed to provide the performance needed for ship assist and escort work on the East and Gulf Coasts. Equipped with two Caterpillar 3512E, EPA Tier IV engines, each delivering 2,550 horsepower, and Rolls Royce Z-drive propulsion units, the tugs will have bollard pull of 68 short tons.

A deep skeg forward is included in the design for escort work, but the skeg will remain open at the aft end to allow for better maneuverability. The skeg also provides for a more stable platform when underway, minimizing rolling due to the seaway. Each boat has a depth of 15 feet, 10 inches.

A Markey escort hawser winch will be installed forward, and a Markey H-bitt and hydraulic capstan will be installed for aft towing and line handling.

Additionally, large-machinery removal hatches are provided on the main deck and deck house to allow for easy removal of equipment from the engine room. Berths for six crew members will be installed in four comfortable staterooms.

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