Handling characteristics are said to be very smooth and precise. Two more tugs of the same type, Smit Bizon and Smit Barracuda, are under construction and were scheduled for launch in July and August.

The vessels are designed for a wide range of marine operations in sheltered, shallow waters and open sea up to 200 nautical miles offshore. Duties can include pushing, towing, buoy handling, dredging support work, anchor handling, ferrying of goods and personnel, and the delivery of fuel oil and water to other plants.

Smit Broncho and its sisters are vessels of 25.40m in length with a beam of 10.00m and maximum draft of 2.58m. The hull configuration includes a semi-raised forecastle, two substantial push knees and a large work deck aft with a heavy duty stern roller. A spacious superstructure is placed well inboard to prevent it from being damaged when the vessel is moored and rolling alongside high objects, and to create a safe walkway to the fore deck.

The tugs comply with the requirements of Bureau Veritas 1+Hull.MACH AUT-UMS Tug Coastal waters (200m) Ice Class 1D and will operate under the Dutch flag.

Two Caterpillar 3508 BTA main diesel engines generate a total of 2000bhp (1492kW) at 1,600rpm to drive fixed pitch propellers via Reinjes WAF 562L reverse reduction gearboxes.

The Wartsila Lips fixed pitch propellers rotate within fixed propulsion nozzles from the same manufacturer. Twin rudders are fitted and operated by steering gear from WK Hydraulics, which enables the rudders to be controlled independently if required. An inherently manoeuvrable tug design is improved even further by the installation of a hydraulically powered 150kW Veth (4 channel), 3600, waterjet bow thruster.

Electrical power is provided by two Caterpillar 3056 diesel powered Leroy Somer auxiliary generators rated at 97.5kVA at 230/400V.

Deck equipment includes a Kraaijveld hydraulic double drum anchor handling and towing winch. Each drum is controlled independently and both have a maximum brake holding load of 70 tons and a line pull of 50 tons at 7m/min. The towing drum accommodates a 700m towline of 38mm diameter and the anchor handling drum 200m of 44mm diameter work wire. A Mampaey quick release tow hook is fitted for secondary use.

Towing pins and line handling gear by WK Hydraulics are fitted adjacent to the 100 ton stern roller. Also installed on the wood sheathed work deck are cargo rails and fastenings to accommodate two 20ft standard ISO containers.

Another major item of equipment, essential in all multi-purpose tugs of this type, is a powerful deck crane. In this case a Heila HLRM 140-3S hydraulically operated crane is fitted with a lifting capacity of 9.25 tons at its maximum reach of 12.19m. The crane is mounted on a pedestal on the starboard side of the towing bitts.

The wheelhouse is fitted with large windows and the single funnel accommodates all of the necessary exhaust uptakes in order to minimise intrusion on all round vision. A full range of navigational and communication equipment is installed to comply with GMDSS Area A2. Fully air conditioned and heated accommodation is provided for up to six persons in four cabins, with a combined mess and galley and the usual sanitary facilities.