Mexican owners buy Hornbeck tug

AUGUST 13, 2012—Ship broker Marcon International Inc., Coupeville, WA, announced the sale of the U.S. flag, twin-screw tug Spartan Service (ex-Spartan, Domar Captain) by Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC, Covington, LA, to Marinoil Servicios Maritimos S.A de C.V. of Mexico.
 
The 3,000 bhp tug was built in 1978 at Leevac-Zigler Shipyard in Jennings, LA, for Sheridan Transportation, Morgan City, LA, to work with the 12,350 dwt petroleum barge Domar 118. The tug joined Hornbeck’s fleet in 2001 when it acquired nine ocean-going tugs and nine ocean-going barges from the Spentonbush/Red Star Group, affiliates of Amerada Hess Corporation.
 
The 110 ft x 34 ft x 17.5 ft Spartan Service depth has a loaded draft of 16 ft. Propulsion is supplied by two EMD 12-645E6 main engines, with two fixed-pitch propellers in kort nozzles through Lufkin 6.11.1 gears. The tug has a bollard pull of 24 metric tons.

For auxiliary power, the tug is equipped with two 75 kW generators driven by GM8V71 diesels. On deck, there is a single drum Markey TDS 32 tow winch holding 2,000 ft of 2 inch wire. Below deck, tank capacity is rated at 82,000 gals fuel, 22,000 gals potable water and 19,000 gals ballast. The tug is classed with ABS with the notation +A1, Towing Service, +AMS, but in active lay-up status. The buyers intend to renew certification.

The vessel can cruise at 8.5 knots and top out at 10 knots free running with an average fuel consumption of around 90 gph.

Spartan Service is fitted with an upper pilothouse for barge operations whilst the lower wheelhouse is fitted with a full suite of communication and navigation aids. The vessel can accommodate 10 persons in five air conditioned cabins.
 
The tug will be renamed Champayan and reflagged under the Mexican registry.
 
Marcon has brokered 19 sales and charters to-date this year. Several additional sales are pending and expected to close within the next couple of weeks, says Marcon.