A new design from Damen

As ships get bigger, so do the demands for larger and more powerful ship-handling tugs to assist them and the ASD Tug 2913 is designed to satisfy that requirement delivering 5,050 bkW and a bollard pull figure of 80 tonnes, all in a tug just 29m in length. In the case of Petersen & Alpers’ operation, its manoeuvrability will make it suitable for working in busy harbours where space is limited and it will join an existing Damen ASD Tug 2411 operating in Hamburg.

It is the first Damen tug to be built with a double-hull to comply with the latest safety regulations and externally the profile is decidedly ‘Damen’ giving the impression of a workhorse equally at home employed in coastal towage as well as shiphandling duties in ports. To this end while a towing winch is fitted forward, provision is made for installation of a winch on the after deck at a later stage if required.

Classed by GL with the notation +100 A5 Tug [+] MC AUT IWS, Michel is 28.9m LOA, 13.23m beam, 5.35m draught with a displacement of 658 tons. Tank capacities include 101m3 of fuel oil and 17.3m3 of fresh water.

Caterpillar provide both main and auxiliary engines, the former comprising two 3516C HD+ TA/D diesels with a total power of 5,050bkW (6,772 bhp) at 1,800 rpm. These drive twin Rolls-Royce US255FP thrusters via Rolls-Royce “built in” slipping clutches with 2,800mm propellers. Forced ventilation for the vessel is 80,000m3/hr. Bollard pull ahead is 80 tons, 76.4 tons astern and the tug’s speed quoted as 13.7 knots ahead and 13.4 knots astern.

Auxiliary equipment includes two Caterpillar C6.6 TA, 230/400V, 125 kVA, 50 Hz generator sets with Sterling supplying bilge and fuel pumps. The foredeck mounted anchor/towing winch is a hydraulically driven two speed, double drum model with warping head with a pull of 38 tons at 12m/min (slack rope speed 38m/min) and 200 ton brake load. The usual high standard of fendering is included comprising D-fender at the side, cylindrical fender at transom corners, D-fender at the stern, cylinder bow fender and W-block fender with water spray. An interesting detail is the inclusion of a 4m inflatable rescue boat with 25hp outboard engine.

Accommodation is provided for ten persons in six cabins, the master and chief engineer’s cabin on the forecastle deck and four more cabins on the main deck along with a galley, mess room and changing room. Below main deck are the usual machinery spaces including an engineer’s workshop/store forward beneath the fore deck. The accommodation is insulated and finished with durable modern linings, floating floors and air conditioning and a sound absorbing type ceiling in the wheelhouse.

While in the wheelhouse, the usual comprehensive Damen outfit of nautical and communication equipment was specified including installations from Furuno, Simrad, Sailor, NAVI, Kotter and Jotron. The consoles/helmsman’s seat arrangement is configured for working over the bow.

The contract for Michel was signed early in 2013 and being a first of class,two years of effort went into designing, engineering and building a vessel that would deliver to its owner’s expectations and beyond. Before the first of the ASD Tug 2913 was even launched, Damen received strong interest in the vessel and its capabilities, and work is already underway building more for delivery at short notice, a feature that Damen is very well known for.

Visit Damen Shipyards on stand A75 at this year’s Seawork International.

By Peter Barker