Ak Tue is a vessel of 25.1m in length overall, with a beam of 10.0m and draft of 2.0-2.5m, meeting the class requirements of Bureau Veritas 1+ Hull. Machinery, Special Service, Multi Purpose Vessel, Unrestricted Navigation. Under the UK MCA Workboat Code of Practice it complies with Category 1, up to 150 miles from a safe haven.

The configuration of this latest delivery to Holyhead Towing follows closely the Neptune standard configuration with a narrow superstructure, wheelhouse and exhaust uptakes on the portside, a large deck crane on the port bow and a double drum towing and anchor handling winch on the centreline. Four ‘push knees’ are provided in the bow, two either side of a substantial bow roller.

Hydraulically operated guide pins are installed adjacent to the roller. The open stern is configured for towing and includes a 15 ton tugger winch to port. Below decks the internal space is divided into engine room, tank spaces and extensive air conditioned accommodation for up to six persons. 100 cu/m of fuel can be accommodated and 43 cu/m of fresh water.

Ak Tue is powered by two Cummins KTA 38 M2 keel cooled main engines generating a total of 2,600bhp. Power is transmitted to fixed pitch propellers rotating within ‘Forward’ nozzles, via Twin-Disc MG 5321 gearboxes. This propulsion system gives the vessel a bollard pull of 28 tons and a maximum free running speed of 9 knots. Electrical power onboard is supplied by two Cummins powered 150kVA auxiliary generator sets.

As always, an important feature of this new vessel is a powerful deck crane. Ak Tue is fitted with a Heila HLRM 200-45L long reach hydraulic crane capable of lifting 22,500kg at 7.75m outreach and 9,000kg at 16.3m. The crane is mounted on the port bow, giving good coverage of the work deck, which has the usual protective wood covering.

Other deliveries due within just a few weeks of each other are two wind farm access catamarans from South Boats of Cowes on the Isle of Wight and the triple screw tug Ak Burkut from Hepworth Shipbuilders.

The Ak Burkut, due for delivery late in May, is sister ship to the Afon Cadnant, completed by the Dutch yard of Sepers last year (see Maritime Journal – September 2007). This tug was originally allocated the name Afon Cymyran but will now operate under the joint venture with Capiisky Buksir in Kazakhstan along with the Ak Tue and other vessels from the Holyhead Towing fleet.