Signet Maritime to add another Robert Allan-designed tug

NOVEMBER 20, 2012—Signet Maritime Corporation, Houston, TX, recently awarded a contract to Vancouver-based naval architectural firm of Robert Allan Ltd. for the design of an ASD 24/60 tractor tug. It is the eighth contract Signet has signed with Robert Allan Ltd. in the last five years.
 
To be christened the Signet Magic, the tractor tug is under construction at Signet Shipbuilding & Repair, Pascagoula, MS. The M/V Signet Magic will operate from the Pascagoula area, where it will primarily perform ship assist, rig escort, barge, and subsea support work.

When she is delivered in late May 2013, the M/V Signet Magic will be the fourth ASD tug added by Signet in 12 months. The previous three tugs include the Signet Stars & Stripes, Signet Constellation and the Signet Weatherly. All of the tugs were designed by Robert Allan Ltd.


Signet Maritime President J. Barry Snyder is pleased by the long-standing relationship with Robert Allan Ltd. “Their state-of-the-art design and engineering, which evolves continually to meet our requirements to best serve the needs of the market and our customers,” says Snyder, “is why Signet has continuing confidence in Robert Allan Ltd. as a leading naval architectural firm.”



With a length of 80 ft and beam of 36 ft, the M/V Signet Magic’s design and size will allow Signet improved capabilities and maneuverability to assist marine vessels in tight quarters in the Pascagoula Harbor. The environmentally friendly tug will feature lower emissions and reduced fuel consumption to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier III marine emissions regulations for all propulsion and electrical generating equipment. This is the third tug built by Signet that meets these marine emissions requirements.


Propulsion for the M/V Signet Magic will be supplied by two EPA Tier III-compliant, Caterpillar 3516C Tier III engines, each rated at 2,575 bhp at 1,600 rev/min, that will drive two Rolls Royce, US 205 FP Azimuthing drives. Combined, the propulsion package will provide an estimated running speed of 12 knots and a bollard pull of 60 metric tons.



Deck machinery includes a Markey DEPCF-48 50HP electric hawser winch on the bow and a Markey DEPC – 32 20 HP electric deck winch on the stern. The hawser winch capacity is 500 feet of 9-inch circumference synthetic line.