Last two of four for ARC Towage

In 2013 Coloured Fin Limited, entered into a joint venture with Atlantic Towing of Saint John NB and Spanish towing services provider Grupo Reyser (subsidiary of Spanish Berge Group) to form a new company to be known as ARC Towage. The order for four new Damen ASD 2810 tugs was placed on the strength of a ten year contract to provide terminal berthing services for the LNG energy sector in Trinidad and Tobago.

The final piece in the order jigsaw has recently been put in place with delivery of the Atlantic Legacy and Manatee to their new owners, joining Guapo Warrior and Kairi delivered by Damen in 2013. Following construction at Damen Shipyards’ Galati (Romania) facility both tugs are now preparing to commence operations on 1 January 2015.

The ability to deliver the vessels in under 18 months was one reason for selecting Damen and all four have been adapted to comply with the latest international LNG handling regulations and provide towage, escorting, berthing and un-berthing services for LNG carriers. The tugs have been equipped with ‘rig savers’ on all engines including remote shut-off valves, remote-closing air intakes, gas detection systems and explosion-proof lighting. Damen will provide after sales support from its service hub in Curaҫao.

The tugs are classed by Lloyd’s Register and carry the notation +100A1 Tug, Fire Fighting Ship 1 with waterspray (2400m3/hr) [+] LMS UMS IWS. Main dimensions include: 28.67m LOA, 10.43m beam overall, 4.6m depth at sides, 4.75m draught aft and 527 tons displacement. Tank capacities include 72m3 of fuel oil and 14.9m3 of fresh water.

Two Caterpillar 3516C TA HD/C main engines produce a total output of 3,730bkW (5,000bhp) at 1,600rpm. Propulsion is provided by two Rolls-Royce US205 azimuth thrusters with propeller diameters of 2,400mm. Performance figures include bollard pull (ahead) 61.1t and 55.7t astern and a top speed of 13.6 knots. Auxiliary equipment includes two Caterpillar C4.4 TA generator sets, two Sterling bilge pumps with two fuel pumps from the same supplier. A diesel driven fire pump serves two 1,200m3/hr water and 300m3/hr foam monitors located ahead of the wheelhouse.

Both vessels are configured for towing over the bow (substantial towing bits are provided on the aft deck) and is in the form of a hydraulically driven two speed split drum winch and warping head. Brake load is 150t with a pull of 35t. As is standard on such tugs, a substantial fendering arrangement was specified comprising D-fendering at the sides, cylindrical fenders at the transom corners and cylinder and W-block fenders at the bow.

By Peter Barker