Seabulk Angola will be used in support of offshore oil terminal operations off West Africa.

The vessel is of rugged all welded steel construction, with an extended forecastle deck, with a strongly raked, two level superstructure topped by a wheelhouse providing maximum all-round visibility. An aft deck, equipped with crash rails for cargo, and suitable gear for heavy duty anchor handling, has space to stow two standard ISO containers under shelter as additional support modules for diving or oil recovery operations.

The tug complies with BV notation 1A Hull, MACH, Tug, Fire Fighting Ship 1, Water Spraying, Unrestricted Navigation, AUT-UMS and is registered in the Marshall Islands.

The new tug has an overall length of 49.50m, with a moulded beam of 15.00m and normal operating draft of 4.75m. A pair of MaK 9M25 main engines, each producing 4,035bhp (2,970 kW) at 750rpm, drive Schottel SRP 3030CP azimuthing propulsion units. On trials this combination delivered a sustained bollard pull of 104 tonnes, and a free running speed of 14 knots. The tug is equipped to carry a reasonable amount of cargo fuel and potable water, as well as providing capacity of recovered oil and the foam and dispersants necessary to support its Fi-Fi and Oil-Rec designations.

Seabulk Angola has a Plimsoll double drum, 'waterfall' style hydraulic winch, with a maximum brake capacity of 350 tonnes. One drum is set up for towing operations, with 1,000m of 64mm diameter steel wire rope towline. The other drum is used for anchor handling, with 1,000m of 64mm diameter SWR. Also installed is a shark jaw, and towing pins rated at 350 tonnes, a stern-roller, capstan and tugger winch.

This vessel differs from a typical AHTS in that it combines the additional role of tanker assistance. For this purpose, heavy duty fendering is fitted around the bow and a single drum towing winch with a brake capacity of 250 tons is installed on the foredeck and equipped with 600m of 64 mm steel wire towline.

The fire fighting system is supplied by a centrifugal fire pump, rated 1,500m 3/hr at 14 bar, driven by each main engine. These pumps serve two 1,200m 3/hr monitors mounted on the wheelhouse top, plus a self dousing system. A 25m 3foam tank is served by two electrically driven foam pumps, rated 36m 3/hr.

Hoses for FPSOs can be handled and serviced with the aid of a 9m aluminium hose handling workboat, a 10 ton capacity hose crane, a hose drain sump and a 400mm hose flushing connection served by fire fighting pumps.

Seabulk Angola is fitted out to the highest standards for a crew of up to 21 persons, nominally 14 crew and seven supernumeraries such as divers.

All cabins include private en-suite facilities except those on the lower deck for supernumeraries. There are two spacious lounge/mess areas, a fully equipped modern galley with associated reefer stores, and one designated office space.

Below decks is accommodation for the dive support crew and a large machinery control room overlooking the machinery spaces.

This first RAmparts Class Offshore Tug successfully completed trials in May and has been dispatched to West Africa.

Orders have been placed for two additional vessels of very similar configuration with the Keppel Singmarine shipyard.