Herman Sr BV get a new Tarka 3 – by Jack Gaston

That first tug, in the owner’s distinctive livery, was a Shoalbuster 2409, hailed by many operators as a breakthrough in the design of shallow draft ‘multipurpose’ tug/workboats.

In subsequent years Damen Shipyards Hardixveld worked in close cooperation with several Dutch tugowners including Herman Sr and their own associate operator Damen Marine Services to further develop the concept, which has grown almost beyond recognition.

That first Tarka was replaced by another vessel of the same name in 2004. This was one of the first of the next generation of Shoalbusters, the 2609, a vessel with a high forecastle and the ability to operate at sea under an ‘Unrestricted Navigation’ class notation. The latter gave the new variant a massive advantage, with the capability to operate on site in very shallow conditions yet still undertake seagoing operations with contracting plant. Herman Sr also operated the smaller Herman and more recently the Baloe, both Shoalbuster 2208s.

To bring the story up to date, it came as no great surprise when on 9 April the brand new Tarka 3 was formally handed over to its owners. The previous Tarka has been operating the Middle East almost continuously since its delivery and is now for sale.

Tarka 3 was built to the, now well established, Shoalbuster 2709 design, which has several significant advantages over the previous vessel. An additional 1m in length (to 27.02m) has enabled more powerful engines to be installed and more space for a much improved deck layout and winch installation. In most other respects the new tug embodies all the same features and dimensions found in the Shoalbuster 2609, including tank capacities.

The engineroom of Tarka 3 houses two Caterpillar 3512B TA main engines delivering a total of 3,040bhp running at 1,600rpm. Power is transmitted to a pair of Promarin fixed pitch propellers of 2,100mm diameter via Reintjes WAF/LAF 665 gearboxes with a reduction of 5.42:1. The propellers turn in Damen Marine Components ‘Optima’ nozzles. Twin ‘Fishtail’ style rudders operate through 2×45 degrees. A Kalkman 200kW, hydraulically operated bow thruster is also installed.

On trials Tarka 3 achieved a Bureau Veritas certified bollard pull of 38.5 tons, 10 tons greater than its predecessor. A free running speed of 11 knots was also recorded.

Also installed in the engineroom are two John Deere 6068 TF 258 auxiliary generators rated at 97kVA each, one of which is enclosed in a soundproof housing. A third John Deere 6125AFM75 auxiliary drives hydraulic pumps for the deck hydraulic system and bow thruster. Electrically powered high capacity Sterling SIHI transfer pumps enable fuel and water to be delivered at 32cu/m per hour at 3.5 bar. A compressed air supply is also an essential facility when working on site. Tarka 3has two compressors installed, one rated at 150 litres/min and the other 3,400 litres/min.

The equipment installed on deck is virtually the same as that fitted on previous Shoalbuster 2709 tugs. A Ridderinkhof ‘waterfall type’, twin drum towing and anchorhandling winch is fitted between the superstructure and crane pedestal. This arrangement allows the towline and work wire to be deployed on the centerline of the tug, which is not easily achieved with some of the earlier configurations. The hydraulically powered winch has a maximum line pull of 100 tons at 2.5m/min on the lower, anchorhandling drum and a maximum brake holding load of 150 tons. The upper, towing drum has a maximum line pull of 50 tons at 10m/min and a maximum brake load of 75 tons.

A stern roller is fitted along with a ‘four-pin set’ of hydraulic tow pins and line handling gear. The conventional quick release tow hook normally fitted for secondary use has been replaced with an entirely new type of hook produce by MKE. Mounted at deck level, the hook has a central ‘horn’ that is rotated about a vertical axis by a pair of hydraulic rams mounted below deck. When the hook is in use, in the closed position with a rope or wire secured, the rope is released by simply rotating the specially shaped horn to let it slip off. The hook has a safe working load of 150 tons and has the advantage of securing the eye of a towline or work wire very close to the deck. The hook releases in less than 1 second and is extremely simple to use.

Another essential piece of equipment on any Shoalbuster is a powerful and versatile deck crane. Tarka 3 is fitted with a HS-Marine crane type AKC 185/1.18.5 HE4, capable of lifting 5,500kg at 18m. The crane has a four section telescopic jib and is equipped with a hoist winch and wire.

As with previous vessels produced for Herman Sr, the tug was been fitted out and customized to the owners particular requirements to a high standard. A comprehensive outfit of navigational and communications equipment is installed to GMDSS Area 3 standard. Two main control positions are provided. The forward console has a full suite of engine, propulsion and winch controls, and large multi-function display screens for radar, charting, and many other functions. An aft control position gives an excellent view of the workdeck and winch.

Fully heated and airconditioned accommodation is provided for up to six persons in three single and two double berth cabins. Onboard facilities include a well fitted galley and mess room, stores and sanitary spaces.

Within days of the naming and handover ceremony at Hardinxveld on 9 April, Tarka 3 was underway to the UK to support cable laying operations.