Baloe 2 – a new generation of 23m Shoalbuster

The tug was ordered by tugs and workboats operator Herman Sr BV of Zwijndrecht to replace a previous vessel of the same name completed for the company in 2006. This new vessel is in most respects an almost identical tug but with some important and obvious improvements.

Baloe 2 was actually launched and named with due ceremony on 27 April by Mrs Michelle Hartman, partner of Mr Chris van Dodewaard, son of proprietors Jack and Wendy van Dodewaard. The event was accompanied by the usual Captain’s dinner and time for visitors to see the partially outfitted vessel.

Baloe 2 is a shallow draft tug/workboat designed for towing, mooring, pushing and anchor handling in support of dredging and marine civil engineering projects. The tug was designed and built by Damen Shipyards, Hardinxveld, to meet the class requirements of Bureau Veritas, with the following notations; I 3/3(E),I Hull MACH Tug, Unrestricted navigation, AUT UMS, and satisfies Dutch Inspection rules up to 200 miles from the coastline. The latter is an important improvement.

From the outset it was known that the new tug would incorporate a number of modifications instigated by Jack van Dodewaard, himself a tugmaster who has been involved in the development of the Shoalbuster designs since their inception. The most significant and obvious change is the redesigned wheelhouse and superstructure, with its outward sloping forward windows and distinctive ‘visor’. This modification has resulted in a significant increase in space internally, an important factor in a vessel required to transport personnel and carry out survey work requiring additional space for electronic equipment.

Baloe 2 measures 23.35m in length overall, with a beam of 8.00m, a depth (at sides) of 2.99m and a draft aft of only 2.10m.

Deck equipment includes a Ridderinkhof double drum hydraulic towing and anchor handling winch with independently powered drums carrying a 32mm diameter towline and a shorter anchor handling work wire that can also be used to operate a towed plough. The winch has a maximum line pull of 30 tonnes at 6m per minute and a brake holding load of 40 tonnes. Aft of the winch is located the usual heavy ‘Dutch style’ towing bollards that also act as an effective fairlead for the towline and anchor handling wires. An 8 tonne ‘tugger’ winch is installed on the starboard side of the main winch mounting to assist in handling heavy gear on the after deck. Hydraulically operated MKB towing pins and line handling gear are located just forward of the stern roller.

An integral part of the Dutch bollard is a heavy cylindrical mounting for the large, hydraulically operated, knuckle-boom crane. The HS Marine AKC 115LHE 4 marine crane has a long retractable jib capable of lifting 4.65 tonnes at a radius of 16.3m. A wire hoist is also provided for lighter loads.

In common with all Shoalbusters, Baloe 2 has a large clear working deck aft, armoured with steel plate in the centre and surrounded forward and at the sides with protective hardwood cladding. The open stern is fitted with a stern roller with a diameter of 0.8m and width of 4m. A demountable 25 tonne ‘A’ frame can be attached to fittings on deck for dredging and bed-levelling with a purpose built 8m wide plough. A small Ridderinkhof hydraulic windlass is provided on the foredeck to handle the 270kg and 200kg Pool high holding power anchors. Also located on the foredeck are two ‘moonpools’ one of 600mm x 800mm and one of 400mm diameter.

Below decks not a great deal has changed. Two Caterpillar type C32-TTA ACERT main engines deliver a total of 1,258 kW (1,700 bhp) at 1800 rpm. Power is transmitted to a pair of Promarin, four blade, fixed pitch propellers via Reintjes WAF 464L/5.042:1 reverse/reduction gearboxes. The propellers are 1,600mm in diameter and rotate within fixed vd Giessen Optima high performance nozzles. On trials Baloe 2 achieved a bollard pull of 21.9 tonnes and a free running speed of 10.5 knots.

A pair of fishtail rudders are installed, with a total helm angle of 65°, and to enhance manoeuvrability further a Kalkman 120 hp, hydraulically operated bow thruster is installed.

Hydraulic pumps for the deck machinery and bowthruster are driven by a dedicated Caterpillar C-09 auxiliary diesel of 269 kW running at 1,800 rpm. Electrical power onboard is supplied by a pair of Hatz auxiliary generators rated at 28 kVa and 33kVa, 230/400 volt 50 Hz, with one mounted in a ‘Silent Pack’ housing.

Baloe 2 has a spacious wheelhouse, with a ‘wrap around’ main console that places all of the main propulsion, navigational and communications equipment controls in easy reach of the ‘skipper’s’ chair. A navigational and communications outfit complies with GMDSS Area 2 standard and includes a Kelvin Hughes – Manta digital radar system, a Leica MX 512 D-GPS, an Anschultz Std 22 Gyro compass, a Radio Holland auto-pilot, three Sailor VHF radios, and Tresco ‘Coaster’ plotter.

Fully air conditioned and heated accommodation is provided for up to five persons and comprises single cabins for the captain and chief engineer, one single and one double cabin for the crew, all with washing facilities. A well equipped galley and sanitary spaces are also provided.