Unlike previous generations of ocean going tugs this series of vessels have an open stern for anchorhandling and towing but considerably more range and fuel capacity than dedicated offshore anchorhandlers Four Wartsila Vasa 8R32 main engines produce a total of 16,320 brake horsepower to drive two controllable pitch propellers, rotating in fixed nozzles. The engines are arranged in pairs, side by side, with each pair coupled to a twin input, single output gearbox. This arrangement gives a maximum bollard pull of 200 tons, great flexibility, and the opportunity to optimise power and fuel consumption to suit the task in hand. The latter, combined with a fuel capacity of over 2,200m 3enables long distance towing operations to be undertaken with minimum disruption from the need to bunker. Two transverse thrusters are fitted to enhance manoeuvrability, a bow thruster producing a maximum of 12 tons of thrust and a 10 ton stern thruster.

The towing gear is no less impressive. There is a single, electro hydraulic, triple drum waterfall type winch. A pair of towing drums are sited side by side on the lower level with the anchor handling drum above. All three drums are de-clutchable and can accommodate 1,500m of 76mm steel wire rope. Two cable lifters are also provided along with substantial cable lockers for mooring chain located below decks forward of the engine room. Powered reels are provided to store one spare 1,500m towline and two 400m lengths of 76mm wire rope. Line handling gear comprises one set of 'sharks jaws' with a maximum working load of 300 tons and a pair of 200 ton hydraulic tow pins.

Fairmount Sherpa 's first assignment was to tow the semi-submersible barge Ocean Orc , laden with dredging equipment, from Kure in Japan to La Union in El Salvador. The voyage was undertaken on behalf of Fukada Salvage and Marine Works and the tug and tow departed Kure on May 30.

Forward bookings for Fairmount Sherpa include the tow of the FPSO Dahlia from Korea to offshore Angola in early 2006.

The second in Fairmount's series of five 200 ton bollard pull newbuildings, Fairmount Summit will be delivered in early September. The three remaining tugs in the series are due for delivery in April and September of next year and the fifth in May 2007. All five newbuilds will operate under the OneAllianz banner. The OneAllianz long haul ocean towage pool was established by Fairmount and Singapore based partners Semco in October 2004.