Baydelta opts for Rapp Marine electric towing winch

APRIL 3, 2016 — A new 110 ft x 40 ft tractor tug owned by Vessel Chartering LLC, a wholly owned division of Baydelta Navigation Ltd, is to have a unique, fully electric driven, double drum tow winch 
developed by Rapp Marine. The tugboat is designed by Jensen Maritime, and will built at JT Marine Shipyard.

Bodø, Norway, headquartered Rapp Marine has over a decade of experience of designing and delivering towing winches for workboat market.

Combining the best ideas from its past work in the other commercial industries and recommendations from tugboat operators, Rapp Marine has developed long lasting and dependable towing winches. In the North American market, these towing winches have mainly been hydraulic powered. Rapp Marine has, however, been delivering electric winches to commercial vessels in other industries, such as research, oil & gas, and fisheries, for years.

The new electric winch developed for the Baydelta tractor tug is driven by a single 100 HP motor and can pull over 75 tons.

It utilizes pneumatic cylinders in place of hydraulics, keeping fluid off of the deck. The sturdy brakes offer a force of 250 tons on the barrel layer.

The main drum can store 2,500′ of 2.5″ steel wire, and the storage drum can store 2,200′ of 2.25″ steel wire. Both drums are equipped with level winds, and can spool 90′ of 3″ chain on top of the steel wire. 

Another feature is an electric “come home” drive, which will serve as a back up to the main drive train.

The winch’s main control station will be situated in the wheel house, with secondary controls located on the winch. The main control station will employ Rapp Marine’s Pentagon Tow Control System that provides more efficient and safer operations for towing vessels. The Pentagon System features a touchscreen with tension and wire length readouts, auto-tension capability, and automated haul-in and pay-out settings.  

“We view this project as a big step forward,” says Johann Sigurjonsson, President of Rapp Marine U.S. “Working closely with Baydelta has resulted in developing an ideal tow winch for the market.”

Rapp Marine also offers a line of electric and hydraulic driven mooring winches, anchor windlasses, capstans, and cranes.