Harms fleet expansion continues with Ursus

A pair of larger

and

more powerful tugs of a similar design, named

Magnus

and

Taurus, followed in 2006

and

2007 respectively. The latest delivery, Ursus

, is sister ship to the

Janus

, delivered in October last year. All five are products of the Mutzelfeldtwerft Gmbh shipyard at Cuxhaven.

Ursus

and

Janus have a very similar configuration to the previous pair, Magnus

and

Taurus, but Harms has chosen a more flexible four engine propulsion system. The vessels are equipped for long distance towing, anchor

and

hose h

and

ling, berthing, fire fighting

and

salvage. They operate under the German flag

and

meet the exacting requirements of Germanisher Lloyd +100A5 Deep Sea Tugboat (Nav-A4)+MC E2 AUT, FiFi1, DP2.

Construction was undertaken by Mutzelfeldtwerft, under contract to Ferrostaal AG of Essen, with the hull

and

major steelwork built in Pol

and

. The hull design incorporates a high forecastle

and

heavy fendering all round. A large after deck (297sq/m)

and

comprehensive outfit of towing

and

anchor h

and

ling equipment confirms the vessel’s prime purpose. There is provision for cargo on deck but no bulk tanks are fitted. Ursus is a conventional twin screw vessel measuring 65.0m in length overall, with a beam of 18.5m

and

a draught of 6.8m. Internal tank capacities include 2,440 cu/m of heavy fuel oil, 190 cu/m of marine diesel, 130 cu/m of fresh water

and

500 cu/m of ballast.

The propulsion system comprises two MAK 6L 32/40

and

two MAK 8L 32/40 main engines, with one of each model coupled to a twin input/single output gearbox. This arrangement results in a flexible, twin screw powerplant delivering a total of 14,000kW (approximately 19,000 bhp) with the engines running at 750 rpm. Twin 4,200mm diameter controllable pitch propellers turn in fixed high performance nozzles to give the vessels a bollard pull of 219 tons

and

a maximum free running speed of 16 knots. A high degree of manoeuvrability is assured by fitting a pair of flap rudders, two electrically driven 400kW transverse CP thrusters in the bow

and

one in the stern. Electrical power is supplied by two 1,500kVA shaft generators

and

two 625kVA alternators powered by MAN D2842 LE 301 diesels.

The fire fighting system is supplied by two pumps, each with a capacity of 1200 cu/m/hr at 14 bar coupled to the main engines. The towing

and

anchor h

and

ling winch aboard Ursus is a twin drum, electrically driven, waterfall winch with a dynamic line pull of 150 tons at 10m/min or 300 tons at 5m/min. Both drums can accommodate 1,600m of 76mm diameter steel wire rope. In practice, a main towing wire of 1,6000m is carried, along with a spare wire of 1,200m

and

a 300m work wire. A cable lifter for 3”

and

5” stud link chain is also fitted. The latter can serve two 33.75 cu/m chain lockers situated below deck. A separate powered storage reel can accommodate a further 1,600m of steel wire rope. A stern roller with a safe working load of 300 tons

and

two 10 ton tugger winches are provided. Line h

and

ling is carried out using two sets of Karmoy forks

and

pins rated at 650/300 tons safe working load. A demountable 200/250 tonnes SWL ‘A’ frame is also available. Salvage equipment includes two portable diesel driven salvage pumps

and

a 50 bhp workboat.

The wheelhouse is fitted out to the highest st

and

ards, with navigational equipment that includes two ARPA radars with ECDIS

and

a DP 2 positioning system. Communications equipment meets the GMDSS Area 4 st

and

ard. Fully air conditioned accommodation is provided for a maximum of up to 24 persons

and

comprises seven cabins for officers, nine for crew

and

one guest, along with the usual galley, mess, stores

and

sanitary facilities.

Ursus was christened in Cuxhaven on 25 April

and

is now in service. Janus featured in media reports earlier in the year when it participated in the salvage of the heavy lift ship Zhen Hua 10 off the Dutch coast. Two even larger (74.3m) anchor h

and

lers are currently under construction for delivery later this year. To be named Uranus

and

Orcus, the tugs will have main engines rated at 24,500bhp

and

a bollard pull of 280 tons. Also under construction are the first of a new series of sophisticated offshore supply vessels with Voith Schneider propulsion systems.