TOWLINES

The Palaemon is designated as a Boğaҫay class by Sanmar and is the first 70tbp version of the series. The tug meets requirements of the under 24m rule and builds on the success of Sanmar’s 45tbp to 50tbp Ulupinar series. With Caterpillar main engines and Rolls-Royce Z-drives the design is based on low-manning operation with a high standard of machinery automation. Flexibility is built into the accommodation to match specific manning requirements either as a day boat or with up to six crew.

In the RAmparts 2400SX design, the designation “SX” stands for Sanmar Exclusive where the design has been modified by Robert Allan Ltd to suit Sanmar Shipyard’s standard production range and optimized with the operational input from Sanmar’s tug operation department.

Foss Maritime have reported that their tug Corbin Foss is taking part in a historic 16,000 mile tow. The task involves towing the retired Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier USS Constellation from the Bremerton Naval Shipyard in Washington, through the Strait of Magellan to Brownsville Texas for scrapping. A blog on Foss Maritime’s website is tracking the convoy’s journey which is expected to take around 140 days.

Shetland Islands Council have put their Sullom Voe tugs Solan and Bonxie on the sale list. The two 41m tractor tugs are being advertised for sale by a Ukrainian shipbroker with Harbour Board chairwoman Andrea Manson reported as saying the decision to sell had nothing to do with the troubled history of the tugs.

It is considered the tugs were too big for the purpose intended and the decision to sell was taken after discussions with the oil industry. Previously the operation at Sullom Voe involved four tugs and the decision was made to move to a three tug operation including the two new greater horsepower tugs. The council now feels that a four tug model would be more suitable and the future may involve ordering at least one new smaller tug depending on the result of any sale of the Solan and Bonxie.

Two sister-tugs have met up to take part in the biggest marine salvage operation in history. A small flotilla of tugs and workboats have been involved in the salvage of the cruise ship Costa Concordia and for the final episode of the drama, the tow from the wreck site to the breakers yard at Genoa, the main towing vessels involved were the Resolve Earl (Resolve Marine Group) and the Blizzard (Tschudi Offshore & Towage). Launched as the Maersk Logger and Maersk Leader respectively, they were part of a four vessel order built in the Netherland in 1987 and 1988. Tschudi also own and operate the other two vessels in the series, Boulder and Bluster (ex Maersk Lifter and Maersk Launcher respectively).

By Peter Barker