Main dimensions of the vessel are 8.85m LOA, length over fender 9.25m, breadth moulded of 3.70m, depth moulded 1.75m, maximum draft aft 1.50m, and a fuel capacity of 1,000 litres. The all steel construction vessel was surveyed by the Society of Consulting Marine Engineers and Ship Surveyors and issued with an MCA Category 3 Area of Operation Workboat Certificate.Designed as a Harbour Tug/Workboat with a Pilot endorsement, Sea Helper’s primary roles will be towage and manoeuvring of vessels within the harbour, assisting in the slipping of vessels, survey work in local council owned harbours and occasional pilot duties for visiting commercial coasters.Ease of handling (by a crew of two) and good levels of manoeuvrability were key factors in the design stage and these points have been confirmed now that the vessel is in service.

Fitted with a high performance aerofoil rudder operated by Groveready – Wills Ridley steering gear, Sea Helper is able to execute tight turning circles and displays a quick response time from hard over to hard over. The main engine is a Mitsubishi 6D16 rated at 120hp at 2,000rpm and in this application de-rated to 103hp at 1,800rpm. The engine is fresh water keel cooled with heavy duty steel channels welded to the hull. Close coupled to a PRM 1000 D3 gearbox with a ratio of 2.86:1, the main engine and gearbox sit on a steel frame flexibly mounted to the main engine seats, thereby reducing noise and vibration levels and enhancing the operator’s working environment.A 750mm diameter 3 blade ni-al bronze propeller by Kort Propulsion is surrounded by a heavy duty tubular prop guard for protection of the propeller and persons in the water.  The propeller shaft is fitted with a rope cutter for added protection. With this rating the vessel managed an average speed of 8.0 knots on its delivery trip from Eyemouth to Macduff.

Driven off  a clutched PTO on the gearbox is the hydraulic pump for the Rotzler Tital TH2 towing winch supplied by North Sea Winches.  With full control from the wheelhouse this winch has a line pull of 1.4 tons and a capacity of 40m of 10mm wire and an emergency brake release.  The winch is worked in conjunction with a heavy duty ‘H’ bollard mounted on the aft deck.  Anchors for the craft were supplied by Fender Care Marine Solutions Ltd.

The wheelhouse is fitted out for two crew and one pilot and has bsic electronic equipment comprising an Icom M503 VHF, Simrad HT50 portable VHF, Furuno M1623 radar and Furuno LS6100 echosounder.  Electrics are 24v DC throughout with a main engine driven Lucas 120 amp 24v DC alternator, a set of heavy duty engine room batteries and an emergency set of batteries on the wheelhouse.  A powered bilge/fire pump is fitted, driven off the main engine and a hand bilge pump also serves the engine room.  Great attention has been given to the design of the hull, bulwarks and fendering to ensure smoothness, robustness and ease of operation while working close to other vessels and in awkward corners of the harbour.  Heavy duty rubber ‘D’ fendering is fitted right around the vessel at main deck level comprising 152 mm x 152 section with a further vertical rubber bow pusher fitted of 250 mm x 250 mm section.  Fendering was supplied by Sovereign Rubber while protection for the vessel extends to its finish in durable marine paints supplied by Jotun.

The deck is clear and free of obstructions and the engine room escape hatch is a flush Hercules hatch on a coaming.

The design has proved ideal for the confines of a working harbour and in addition has exhibited good sea keeping properties in the open sea so should prove a capable all round working platform.

Macduff Ship Design has a range of Harbour/Coastal Tugs from 8.85m up to 35m together with Workboats and Research Vessels of varying sizes.

The strength of the company, however, lies in its ability to produce one off designs precisely tailored to an owner’s requirements.  The company also has the capacity and experience to act as owner’s project managers.

MJ Information No: 20418