Eastern delivers second RApport 2400 Z-drive tug to Bisso Offshore
Written by Marine Log Staff
M/V A. Thomas Higgins on bollard pull trial
Eastern Shipbuilding Group Inc., Panama City, Fla., recently delivered the M/V A. Thomas Higgins, the second of two 80-foot 5,100 HP Z-drive tugs, to Bisso Offshore LLC, a division of E.N. Bisso & Son Inc. of New Orleans La.
The day after delivery, the vessel completed its bollard pull testing witnessed by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and received its USCG Sub-M Certificate of Inspection (COI). The vessel is a RAL RApport 2400 Z-Drive ship-handling tug built to a Robert Allan Ltd. design. Its sister vessel, the M/V C.D. WHITE was delivered in January of this year and is currently working in New Orleans.
E.N. Bisso is one of Eastern’s long term valued customers and has taken delivery of five previous modern Z-drive ship assist tugs from Eastern starting in 2007.
These two new Robert Allan RApport 2400 design tugs have been customized by the designer, the builder, and owner to provide specific operational features including a high bollard pull forward and aft, enhanced maneuverability and escort performance, better fuel economy, crew comfort, safety under the new USCG Sub-M requirements and reduced emissions meeting the new EPA Tier 4 emissions regulations.
The RApport 2400 ship handling tugs have the following characteristics:
- Dimensions (Molded): 80’-0 x 38’-0 x 13’-2”
- ESG Designation: Hull 226
- Fuel Oil: 28,000 USG
- DEF/Urea: (2) x 850 USG
- Potable Water: 8,750 USG
- Total Horsepower: (2) x 2,550 HP @ 1,800 RPM
- Bollard Pulls: Stern Pull: 66.10 Short Tons
- Bow Pull: 64.20 Short Tons
- Main Engines: (2) LA CAT, Caterpillar 3512E Tier 4 EPA/IMO III marine propulsion diesel engines
- Main Propulsion: (2) Kongsberg/Rolls Royce US205 P20 Z-Drives
- Main Generators: (2) Kennedy Engines Co. John Deere 4045AFM85 Tier 3 EPA certified Marine Auxiliary Diesel Generator Set, each rated at 99kW @ 1,800 RPM
- Firefighting: (1) Counterfire ES-125-400, 1,500 gpm at 100 psi, diesel engine driven and 4” Stang remote controlled fire monitor
- Forward Hawser Winch: (1) Markey Machinery, Inc. Model DEPCF-42 HS, Single Drum 40HP, Render/Recovery, Line Tension Display, Electric Escort Hawser Winch
- Aft Capstan: (1) Markey Machinery, Inc. CEPB-40 5HP Tow Bitt Capstan
- Tow Hook: (1) Washington Chain & Supply 90 Ton SWL tow hook, electric-air remote control, manual or remote release.
- Regulatory: USCG Sub-M, Certificate of Inspection (COI) (Oceans), Designed and Built to ABS Class standards (but not classed under ABS rules)
- Flag: United States of America
