The first EDDY will soon be ready

The detail and production engineering was carried out in-house by EDDY Tug BV and the construction of the first full scale tug has been entrusted to Holland Shipyards BV at Hardinxveld-Giessendam in the Netherlands.

Designated the EDDY 30-65, the vessel will measure 30m in length overall, with an overall breadth of 13.46m and operational draft of 4.75m. It is being constructed to meet Bureau Veritas class conditions for BV 1+HULL+ MACH, Escort Tug, AUT-UMS Unrestricted Navigation. A bollard pull of 65 tonnes is anticipated and a maximum speed of 14.0 knots.

The EDDY concept was first conceived in 2008 by consultants Baldo Dielen Associates Ltd whilst in search of an efficient, powerful and safe approach to shiphandling under a variety of conditions. In the intervening years a great deal of research and testing has been carried out, much of it actively supported by the towage industry, including the model testing programme.

Each EDDY tug has an advanced, yet simple and economical to construct, truly double-ended hull form. It has slender ends and high freeboards fore and aft which improve seaworthiness and operability. Each end classifies as bow and the tug performs well in either direction, also in adverse weather. For unambiguous terminology, the EDDY bow is defined as that end which is forward when the tug is in motion. When static, the winch end (there is only one) is regarded as the bow. A central skeg gives good directional stability and a substantial increase in line pull when operating in the indirect towing mode. Handling of the vessels is entirely intuitive, which simplifies training and increases safety

Push and pull forces can be applied in any direction, with minimum need for repositioning, and are always immediately available. When assisting a ship at speed, high dynamic forces of up to twice the tug’s bollard pull can be generated when acting as a bow or stern tug. This makes the EDDY tug unique in that they are equally effective at either end of the ship. Safety of the assisted ship is thereby greatly enhanced and it allows for faster assist cycles.

The spacious deck is fitted out with a double-drum Kraajieveld Safewinch. Fender loads are met by fitting a double row of 800mm diameter cylindrical fenders. Comfortable accommodation is provided for eight people in six cabins, all with en-suite WC/shower facilities.

The propulsion system will be diesel-electric hybrid, with two Mitsubishi S16R diesel main engines coupled directly to a pair of Schottel SRP 3000 propulsion units. Each SRP 3000 will have a 460kW electric motor coupled to the opposite end of the power input shaft, a facility now available on the latest models. Two Scania DI 16 diesel generators provide power to the electric drive motors and a SiSu 49 CTAG (89 kWe) auxiliary generator will cater for domestic loads.

This propulsion system will offer considerable flexibility, enabling the EDDY to sail in ‘hybrid’ transit mode using one or two generators and the electric motors at speeds of up to 9 knots. For higher transit speeds of up to 12 knots just one main engine alone will be used. Both main engines will only be required during towage operations or for maximum speed.

The first vessel will be built for ‘stock’, with completion around the second quarter of 2014, thus enabling the many enquiries received by EDDY TUG BV to be answered with a fully operational prototype available.

Technical specification

Length: 30m

Beam: 13.46m

Draft: 4.75m

Speed: 14 knots

Bollard pull: 65 tonnes