Busy times for Damen

Svitzer are established Damen customers but two impending deliveries mark the first for the company’s US branch in Miami. Two different types, an ASD 2310 (Svitzer Yuma) and an ASD 2411 (Svitzer Freeport) were ordered specifically for operation around the port area of Freeport on the Bahamian island of Grand Bahama. The customer required a fast turnaround for the order so Damen’s off-the-shelf approach made them a natural choice. The tugs were built at Damen’s facility at Changde China.

Other than the obvious differences in size much is in common with both vessels. Main machinery is provided by Caterpillar, the Svitzer Yuma powered by twin 3512C diesels developing 3,000bkW (4,023bhp) driving twin Rolls-Royce US205 azimuth thrusters and producing a bollard pull of 48.7t and speed 12.4 knots. Svitzer Freeport has twin Caterpillar 3516C diesels developing 4,180bkW (5,600bhp) driving twin Rolls-Royce US255 azimuth thrusters with a bollard pull of 68.9t and speed 13.1 knots.

The next pair to report are two Stan Tug 2608s, for operation in Morocco, Steve for Société Chérifienne de Remorquage et d’Assistance (SRCA) and the Jade for Offshore Maroc. Both are classed by BV with the notation I+ HULL – MACH Tug Unrestricted Navigation with basic functions listed as towing, mooring and fire-fighting. Main dimensions are 26.16m LOA, 8.54m beam and draught 4m, tank capacities including 74.2m3 of fuel oil and 12.1m3 fresh water.

Propulsion for both vessels is via twin Caterpillar 3512C diesels developing 2,460kW (3,300bhp) driving Promarin Kaplan II propellers. Performance figures during trials were 46.3tbp and 12.6 knots for the Jade and 50tbp and 12.5 knots for Steve. Both vessels have air conditioned and heated accommodation for eight persons in two single and three double crew cabins.

Smit Lamnalco Singapore PTE Ltd recently took delivery of the Damen ASD Tug 2810 SL Sokol which at the time of writing was stationed off Novorossiysk on the Russian Black Sea coast.

SL Sokol is notable for its fifi1 capability and classed by BV with the notation 1+HULL – MACH Tug Unrestricted Navigation AUT UMS Fire Fighting Ship 1 and basic functions listed as: towing, mooring and fire-fighting operations. Main dimensions are LOA 28.67m, beam 10.43m, draught aft 4.25m and displacement 579t. Tank capacities include 72.3m3 fuel oil, 16.4m3 fresh water, 6.5m3 foam and 4.7m3 dispersant.

Two Caterpillar 3516C main engines develop 3,372bkW (4,520bhp) powering twin Rolls-Royce US205 azimuth thrusters with performance figures of 51.8tbp and speed 13.6 knots. Auxiliary machinery includes two Caterpillar C4.4 generator sets and diesel driven fifi pump serving two 1,200m3/hr water/foam monitors. A hydraulic two-speed split-drum 15t brake winch is fitted forward with a Mampaey 65t towing hook aft which is also home to a Heila HLM 20-3S crane.

Moving down the scale, earlier this year Maldives Ports Ltd took delivery of the Stan Tug 1606 Dream Veeru. Another BV classed vessel it will be used for towing, mooring, pushing and survey operations and is 16.6m LOA with a beam of 5.54m and draught 2.25m. Two Caterpillar C18 diesels produce 894bkW (1,216bhp) with performance figures of 16.2tbp and 11.3 knots. A Mampaey disc-type 25t towing hook is fitted aft and below deck a crew cabin with galley is provided for four persons.

Last but by no means least, from the smaller range in Damen’s catalogue two Stan Tug 1205 towing and mooring launches NC-7L and NC-8L have been delivered to Curacao based Kompania Di Tou Kòrsou Holding NV. Dimensions include 13.08m LOA, 5.28m beam and 1.85m draught aft.

Two Volvo D9 diesels producing 442bkW (600bhp) drive Kaplan fixed-pitch propellers in Van de Giessen Optima nozzles delivering performance figures of 8.3tbp and 9.9 knots. A Mampaey Disc type 15t SWL towing hook is located aft and notable features include mooring line protection frames over the wheelhouse, substantial side and stern fendering and a 380mm diameter rubber push-bow fender.

By Peter Barker