A powerful Union Hawk joins URS – by Jack Gaston

Orders placed with the Spanish shipyard Astilleros Armon have resulted in the delivery of nine new tugs of various types since 2005 and there are two still to come.

Union Hawk, and sister ship Union Eagle, still to be completed, are similar in design to the pair of 65 tons bollard pull ‘compact’ tugs Union Amber and Union Jade delivered in 2007. This new variant is however slightly larger but considerably more powerful, with a bollard pull of 85 tons. The tugs are to be used for harbour and short sea duties and are classed by Lloyds Register +100A1, Tug, +LMC UMS.

Union Hawk measures just 28.50m in length overall, with a beam of 12.20m and a maximum draft of 4.72m. A conventional ASD propulsion system is powered by two ABC model 12VDZC main engines rated 2,600kW each at 1,000 rpm for a total of approximately 7,965 bhp. Each engine is coupled to a Schottel SRP 2020 FP fully azimuthing propulsion unit via a Twin Disc MCD 3000 slipping clutch, with full modulation.

Onboard electrical power is supplied by two Stamford 500kVA alternators, each driven by a Scania DI 12-62M DE diesel rated at 199kW at 196 rpm.

The towing gear aboard the Union Hawk follows the same configuration as that used successfully in the earlier URS ‘compact’ tugs and similar vessels built by Armon for Fairplay Towage. A single, twin drum towing winch is located the foredeck and used for towing operations over the bow or astern as required. The Brusselle manufactured winch has two declutchable towing drums, with a brake holding load of 180 tons, and incorporates the anchor windlass. When shiphandling a towline is deployed from the foredeck in the usual manner and when towing over the stern a towline is passed through a tunnel beneath the superstructure and deployed aft, via a substantial fairlead. This arrangement eliminates the need for a winch aft, representing a considerable saving in cost and deck space. The deckhouse has been kept as short and compact as possible but is relatively high, resulting in excellent all-round vision from the wheelhouse above. Fully air conditioned accommodation is provided for a maximum of six persons in three double berth cabins.

In recent months Astilleros Armon has also completed for URS the first three tugs of the new Warrior class; Union Warrior, Union Boxer and Union Fighter (M J – April 2010). The fourth vessel, Union Wrestler, is scheduled to follow in November of this year. The Union Eagle will also be delivered within the next few weeks.