Baut started work at the Mongstad tug fleet immediately and has since been the subject of extensive trials.

After several months of operation the tug is reported to be highly successful, meeting all of the specified performance criteria including much reduced noise and vibration levels.

Escort towage is an essential element in the measures taken by Statoil at Mongstad to reduce the risk of tanker related accidents and possible oil pollution in the relatively narrow Fensfjord. A second escort vessel of the same type is now on order from Moen Slip as part of a small fleet of vessels required for a new contract in the north of Norway (see - Towlines).

Baut is a larger and more powerful version of the 'fin first' tractor tug Boxer that entered service at Mongstad in 1999.

In keeping with earlier escort tractors designed by Bukser og Berging's own naval architect, the hull and skeg has similar highly developed underwater characteristics intended to generate maximum steering forces whilst operating in the 'indirect towing' mode at relatively high speeds.

Designed specifically to carry out high-speed escort towing and berthing duties at Norwegian oil and gas terminals, the tug is 40.55m in length overall, with a beam of 14.30m and draft in escort condition of 6.00m. In common with other escort tugs in the Bukser og Berging fleet the new vessel will be subjected to full-scale trials by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) in order to achieve an approved escort tug notation.

Baut carries the classification: DNV +1A1, ice C, EO, tug, SF, FiFi 1, oilrec, escort (160t, 10kn).

Two Deutz SBV 16 M 628 main engines, producing a total of 9348bhp (6880kW), are coupled to a pair of Voith Schneider 36R6/255-2 cycloidal propulsion units. The units are of the very latest type incorporating six blades of a new profile and length, rotating in a blade orbit of 3.6m. Used in conjunction with an improved 'nozzle and protection plate' the units are responsible for significant improvements in bollard pull and the reduction of vibration levels to a remarkably low figure, even under high bollard pull and pushing conditions. On trials the tug achieved a static bollard pull of 95 tonnes and a steering force of 160 tonnes in the indirect towing mode at 10 knots.

Running free at full escorting draft the vessel has a top speed of 15 knots.

A most important feature of this and any other 'state of the art' escort tug is the towing winch, in this case manufactured by Karmoy Winch AS. The single, hydraulically powered, split winch has a maximum line pull of 175 tonnes and brake holding load of 300 tonnes.

The towlines (x2) used for escort and shiphandling duties are high-tech Dextron Plus (Dyneema) ropes of 82mm diameter, with a length of 170m and a maximum breaking strain of 450 tonnes.

Sophisticated, programmable, winch controls incorporate a tension and compensation system capable of maintaining preset towline forces and lengths.

Karmoy has also supplied a combined tugger winch and anchor windlass aft, an additional tugger winch for the foredeck and hydraulically operated towing pins.

Baut is fitted for fire-fighting to Fi-Fi 1 standards with two Kvaevrner Eureka water/foam monitors positioned above the wheelhouse. Two Kvaevrner 250x350 OGF pumps, driven by the main engines, supply the monitors and a self protection dousing system at a rate of 2820m 3/hour.