Barney is introduced to the water

In January 2014 Herman Sr and Damen signed the contract for construction of a new tug and initially a Damen 2713 Shoalbuster design was chosen. The nature of services offered by Herman Sr makes the Shoalbuster an ideal tool, reflected in the headline specifications of the vessel including: bollard pull of 30t, draught of just 1.8m, large accommodation for up to 12 persons and four-point mooring system suited for diving operations.

Safe Engineering in Gdansk was selected to build the hull with final outfitting carried out at Damen’s yard at Hardinxveld. Safe Engineering have already built hulls for Damen including the multicat Yogi, another member of the Herman Sr family. During construction the decision was made to increase Barney’s length by 3m to ensure bollard pull and draught figures could be met. With construction well underway, the hull was cut and a new mid-body section inserted between the steering gear room and accommodation. This modification naturally means a slight delay in delivery to Damen’s yard for completion.

Early in December, accompanied by the traditional sounding of ships’ horns in the area Barney was lifted into the water at Gdansk by a lifting pontoon. At the time of writing the vessel was on its way to Damen’s facilities for final outfitting, towed by one of Herman Sr’s fleet, another Shoalbuster the Bommel.

Following lengthening Barney is now a Damen Shoalbuster 3013, built to BV classification I HULL, Tug Unrestricted navigation, anchor-handling notation. It also meets requirements Dutch Shipping Inspection continuous service. Basic functions are: towing, anchor-handling, dredge support, windfarm support, oil and gas support, supplying, survey, vibrocoring, diving support, 4-point mooring, pull pontoon.

Principle statistics include: 30.02m LOA, 13.46m width, 1.8m draught minimum, 30t bollard pull and design speed 10.5 knots. Tank capacities include 104m3 of fuel oil and 38m3 of fresh water. An impressive machinery outfit was specified for Barney comprising no less than five Caterpillar engines, the vessel being provided with triple screw propulsion. Main power is from three Caterpillar C18 ACERT diesels providing a total output of 1,599bkW (2,145bhp) at 1,800 rpm. Reintjes WAF 364L/5.435:1 gearboxes drive three Promarin fixed pitch propellers turning in 1,600mm nozzles. Steering is provided by three fishtail rudders and manoeuvrability enhanced with a 250bhp bow thruster.

Auxiliary equipment includes two Caterpillar C-4.4 TA 107 kVA, 50hz, 230/400V generator sets. The centre main engine has two clutches, one for the propeller shaft, the other connected to the hydraulic pump. A Hamman Super mini sewage plant is provided for up to 12 persons.

Barney boasts a comprehensive deck machinery outfit including triple-drum DMT winch aft, the anchor-handling drum holding 350m of 36mm wire and two towing drums each containing 650m of 36mm wire. All three are rated at 50t pull and 75t brake holding power. Two HS Marine deck cranes are included, an AK 20 LE1 model located on the bow (2.06t at 7.28m) and for the aft deck, a larger AKC 185 HE4 version (6.44t at 17.07m). Barney has 150m2 of deck space with a maximum deck load of 10t/m2 and bays for two 20’ and two 10’ containers.

Speaking to MJ, Erwin van Dodewaard, Commercial Manager Herman Sr said: “Barney is a completely new shallow draft anchor-handling tug specially designed for Herman Senior by Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld. In our knowledge there is no other shallow draft vessel available on the market today, which has the same capabilities as the Barney. We are looking forward to see her perform on the sea trials.”

By Peter Barker