First of new class from Sanmar

Delivery of the Civitavecchia marks another milestone in the flourishing cooperation between Sanmar and Robert Allan Ltd. Examples of the Canadian naval architect’s range of tugs regularly emerge from Sanmar’s building sheds including a design exclusive to the builder, the Boğaҫay class RAmparts 2400SX range of ASD tugs aimed at meeting the requirements of the under 24m rule.

This latest delivery is the first example of a new design designated the Ulucay Class and based on the RAstar 3200W. Sanmar’s Ali Gurun’s words best describe the logic and thinking behind the design: “The RAmparts 3200 design, of 70-80 tonnes, has proved itself in previous years. We have constructed 11 sister vessels of this series. Then we started constructing the RAstar 2800 design, of similar bollard pull, our famous Sanmar Terminal series tugboats. These vessels have succesfully responded to the demands of customers looking for 30m – 32m tugbboats. But in time, due to the changing demands of customers, we have felt the need for a new 32m design, under 500GRT, with 80-90 tonnes BP, and started developing it. The first sister vessels are 85 tonne versions of this design.”

Principle dimensions of the Civitavecchia include LOA of 32m with a beam of 13.2m and maximum draught of 6.4m. A forward bollard pull of ‘greater than 85 tonnes’ is provided via two MAN 7L27/38 main engines each developing 2,555kW at 800 RPM. These in turn power two Rolls-Royce type US25 CP Z-drive azimuth thrusters each with propellers of 2,800mm diameter turning within mild steel nozzles. They are driven by solid shafts with two Cardan joints and as well as the impressive bollard pull, a top speed in excess of 13 knots is also achievable.

MAN also supply two gensets each of 200ekW with fifi1 class provision from FFS via two monitors and water spray system powered by main engine driven Kumera gearboxes. Six en-suite cabins provide accommodation for ten persons with the galley and mess room built to the usual Robert Allan/Sanmar high standards.

The foredeck is home to a Rolls-Royce double-drum winch, each drum with a capacity for 200m of 64mm synthetic rope. Rolls-Royce also supply a single-drum towing winch aft with 800m of 52mm steel wire. Both have a brake load of 200 tons and the deck equipment instalation also includes a Nuova Covis knuckle-boom crane and a towing hook.

The Ulucay class is designed for escort as well as occasional conventional towage duties and enhanced by the ability to operate at LNG terminals through explosion-proof features, they also have oil recovery notation.

By Peter Barker