Bollinger delivers first of new class of tugs to Crowley

SEPTEMBER 12, 2012 — Bollinger Marine Fabricators, L.L.C., Amelia, La., a Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. company, has delivered the Ocean Wave, the first of four Ocean class tugs, to Crowley Maritime Corporation.

The Ocean Wave is one of two 10,880 BHP tugs in the series that are DP1 capable. The two others will be DP2 capable.

The Ocean Wave is twin screw with controllable pitch propellers (CPP), in nozzles with independent high lift rudders. The hull is welded steel construction and is outfitted for long range ocean towing, dynamic positioning, firefighting, rescue and salvage towing, as well anchor handling. The vessel is designed and outfitted with all tanks containing oil and oil traces inboard of the side shell to create a double hull and designed for zero discharge of any machinery cooling water, gray or black water, further safeguard the environment.

Propulsion is provided by two Caterpillar C-280-12 Tier II diesel engines. Designed to operate on Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel, each is rated at 5,440 BHP @ 1000 RPM. The 153.5 inch diameter CPP Propellers are driven through Reintjes LAF 5666 reduction gears. The bow thruster is a Berg VFD 850 HP unit.

Electric power is provided by two 1,475 kVA shaft generators, one 340 kW Caterpillar C-18 Tier II auxiliary generator (Harbor Generator), and one (1) 125 kW Caterpillar C-6.6 Tier II emergency generator system.

The towing and deck equipment includes an Intercon DW275 hydraulic winch with upper drum capacity for 3,000 ft of 2.5 in wire and lower drum with 4,200 ft of 2.75 in wire, Triplex tow pins, Triplex shark jaws and an open stern roller.

The vessel is U.S. flagged and complies with all applicable rules and regulations for unrestricted ocean towing, International Load Line Certificate, SOLAS and ABS DP1, Green Passport classification.

“Taking delivery of this first ocean-class tug is a significant milestone for Crowley and our customers who will benefit from its use on their projects,” said Tom Crowley, company chairman, president and CEO. “These Jensen Maritime-designed towing vessels – three of which are under construction at Bollinger – are a new generation of powerful, high-tech and environmentally friendly workhorses for Crowley that will further solidify our standing as an industry leader in ocean towing, salvage and offshore marine support for the upstream energy industry.” 


“We are extremely proud of our Ocean Class team and the delivery of the first in class tug, Ocean Wave,” said Chris Bollinger, executive vice president of Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. “Our partner, Crowley and Jensen, as well as our numerous vendors, have worked hard to develop and deliver a premier vessel into the international marine market and we look forward to future deliveries of sister Ocean Wind and DP2 vessels Ocean Sky and Ocean Sun.”