In September 2007, the first of a series of three new high performance, compact line handling tugs, named 'Elyah', was delivered to its owners IRSHAD of Abu Dhabi (the marine arm of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company). The 20m boats are the first of a new class of powerful line handling tugs developed by Robert Allan Ltd and built by the Grandweld shipyard of Dubai. Designated the ‘RAscal’  class, these tugs are amongst the very few of their type in the world to incorporate azimuthing stern drive (ASD) propulsion, providing much more directional control when handling lines and floating hoses. The tugs also have sufficient power that they can easily be used as ‘stern-tug’ for small to medium size tankers on mooring/loading buoys.

The IRSHAD tugs will operate in the client's various oil terminals in the Middle East. In addition to the basic line handling functions, the tugs are equipped with a broad outfit of additional equipment, befitting much larger vessels. This includes a built in oil spill response and recovery capability, comprising a Lamor system built into the starboard side of the vessel.

Elyah and its sisters were constructed to comply with Lloyd's Register of Shipping Class notation: Lloyd's +100 AN - SSC, Workboat, Mono, Occasional Oil Recovery Duties, G3, Line Handling Tug + LMC, UMS.

Vessels of the RAscal class are just 19.80m in length overall, 8.00m beam (moulded) and with a maximum draft of 3.40m. Each tug has dedicated tanks to take 26 m3 of fuel and 5.2 m3 of fresh water.

The propulsion system comprises a pair of MTU 8V4000 M60 diesels producing a total of 2,392 bhp (1,760kW) at 1,800 rpm coupled to Schottel 550 propulsion units with 1,750 mm diameter propellers via Cardan shafts. This combination delivers a bollard pull of 29 tons ahead, approximately 27 tons astern, and provides a free running speed in excess of 11.3 knots.

Electrical power is provided by a pair of auxiliary generating sets, each rated 50 kW. The tugs have a modest fire fighting capability, comprising a 300 m3/hour centrifugal fire pump driven from the front end of the starboard main engine and supplying a single manual fire monitor.

A Plimsoll hydraulic towing winch installed on the foredeck has a 60 ton maximum brake load and deploys its towline through a 60 ton staple type fairlead. A quick release Mampaey radial arm towhook with a 30 tonne SWL is also fitted aft along with a 5 ton hydraulic capstan.

The RAscal 2000 Class tugs are outfitted as day boats for a normal crew of three persons in modern and well equipped fashion. Some basic crew accommodation is also provided for periods of extended duty.