Sanmar delivers first VectRA 3000 tractor tug

Written by Nick Blenkey
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Sanmar Shipyards launched first VectRA 3000 in February

MARCH 8, 2016 — Designed by Robert Allan Ltd in collaboration with Turkish shipbuilder Sanmar Shipyards and Voith Turbo Propulsion, the VectRA 3000 class tug is a high performance VSP tractor tug designed for maximum efficiency in the towing, harbor ship-handling and escorting of large ships. Performance has been verified by extensive model tests at the start of the design cycle, says Robert Allan..

The VectRA 3000 has been designed exclusively for Sanmar. The first vessel in the series, the M/T Ares, built for Italian tug owner Tripmare S.p.A., was successfully launched at Sanmar’s new Altinova advanced shipbuilding facility in February 2016.

The propulsion drive train comprises a pair of Caterpillar 3516C high speed diesel engines, each rated 2,525 kW at 1,800 rpm, and driving Voith 32R5EC/265-2 cycloidal propellers. The engines are connected to the Voith drives through a pair of Reintjes WAF 863 gearboxes and Vulkan composite shafts, rather than using the more traditional turbo coupling — an arrangement that is smaller, lighter and less costly than the traditional medium speed drive system.

The electrical plant consists of two identical diesel gensets, each with a rated output of 86 ekW.

With a bollard pull of 70 tonnes, the VectRA 3000 can generate escort steering forces in excess of 100 tonnes. Additionally, the design has fire-fighting and oil recovery capabilities and is fully MLC compliant.

The principal particulars of the VectRA 3000 are as follows:

Length overall                          30.25 m
Length overall, with fenders       31.10 m
Breadth, molded                       13.00 m
Depth, molded (hull)                   5.10 m
Navigational draft (design draft)   6.30 m to bottom skeg/VSP guard
GRT                                          < 500, international
The vessels are built and classed to ABS notation: ✠ A1 Towing Vessel, Escort Vessel, ✠ AMS, Unrestricted Service, UWILD, HAB (WB), ABCU Fire-Fighting Vessel Class 1 Oil Spill Recovery – Capability Class 2 (>60° C) (OSR – C2)

Crew accommodations are all located on the main deck level with four single crew cabins plus one double crew cabin, each with an en-suite bathroom. A comfortable lounge/mess area and galley facilities are also in the deckhouse, with galley stores and laundry room located below the main deck forward.

All towing, ship handling, and escort work is performed using a double drum escort winch and escort rated staple fitted on the aft deck. One drum can store 710 m of steel wire line, while the other stores 150 m of synthetic towline. For increased operational flexibility radial type tow hooks are installed on the main deck forward and aft.

As in a traditional tractor configuration, the stern is the working end of the tug and features heavy duty cylindrical fendering with a course of ‘W’ fenders below. Hollow ‘D’ fenders protect the sheer lines and tie into the ‘W’ fenders at the bow.

The wheelhouse is designed for 360 degree visibility and includes overhead windows. The split type console is biased aft to ensure unobstructed visibility of the working deck (including the winch, staple, bulwarks and fenders) during operations.

vectraga

 

 

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