Garp and Sark delivered to Turkish authority

Not all are highly sophisticated ASD or tractor tugs but the owner’s needs receive equal attention as shown in this recent order.

Two rugged little tugs, Garp and Sark, recently completed by the Besiktas Shipyard at Yalova in Turkey, have been delivered to the Directorate General of Coastal Safety based in the port of Istanbul.

These are twin screw vessels built to the Robert Allan TS2000 class design, not previously mentioned in Tugs & Towing, intended for ship assist/ harbour towage duties and construction support. With a significantly low air draft and a shallow navigational draft, there are few places inaccessible to these tugs. Speed was also a major factor in the client’s specification and the speeds of 11 knots ahead and 7 knots astern achieved on trials are the maximum possible for a tug of this size.

Garp and Sark, Turkish for West and East, are built to conform to the Turkish Lloyd notations: [+] 1A5 TUG K20 [+] MAUT. Measuring 20m in length overall, with a moulded beam of 7.5m and depth moulded of 3.3m, the tugs have a maximum draft of 3m and a maximum air draft of 6m.

A pair of Baudouin M26.2 diesel engines, each rated 808kW at 1,900 rpm (total 2,167kW) provide the power to drive fixed pitched 1.6m diameter propellers. The propellers rotate within fixed nozzles, each of which is equipped with twin rudders. This arrangement gives the vessels a bollard pull of 24 tonnes and excellent manoeuvrability.

The vessels have wet exhausts, discharging to either side, in order to achieve the extremely low air draft.

The outfit of deck machinery includes a forward towing winch from Data Hidrolik with a brake capacity of 50 tonnes and a line pull of 25 tonnes at 8 m/min. A single 27 tonne SWL towhook is fitted on the after deck, along with a 3 tonne capstan and a deck crane with 6.5m reach. Two push knees are fitted in the bow and suitable fendering equips the vessels for barge work and a host of other duties.

Garp and Sark are fitted out to a high standard, with very compact accommodation below deck for a crew of up to four persons in two double cabins, along with a combined mess and pantry and sanitary facilities. The wheelhouse is designed for maximum all round visibility from the forward control station, with conventional helm controls.