Following Sanmar’s discontinuation of the tug marque bearing the same name Robert Allan Ltd (RAL) has described further the replacement in its RApport 1900SX harbour tug.
Last year, Sanmar Shipyards announced its ‘out with the old, in with the new’ plans to discontinue the Ulupinar, Doğançay and Sanmar tug series but with continuity maintained by RAL’s RAscal 1800, RAmparts 2200 and RApport 1900SX models and it is this last example that RAL has described in detail, replacing the Sanmar class 31 of which have been built since 1995.
Harbour and coastal tug deliveries are dominated nowadays by powerful ASD or tractor configuration vessels employing azimuth or cycloidal drives, so it is easy to overlook demand for high performance conventional in-line shaft and propeller designs produced at a competitive cost and capable of coastal tows as well as harbour assistance. These requirements fit the bill with the RApport 1900SX designated the Bozçay class by Sanmar.
An increased beam of 8m (moulded) on a LOA of 19.3m provides improved stability, wheelhouse visibility described as ‘excellent in all directions.’ Conventional twin-screw propulsion and twin high-aspect ratio rudders behind each propeller produce 33tbp from twin Caterpillar C32 main engines producing 1,940kW in total and connected to ZF 3761 6:1 reverse/reduction gears and 175mm shafts turning 1,880mm four-bladed propellers in nozzles. The engines are supplied with dry exhausts and polished stainless steel tail pipes.
A 45t tow hook is fitted aft with an electric or hydraulic towing winch available as option. Fendering can be adapted to client requirements, the standard fit being 300mm ‘D’ fenders at the sheer and vertical ‘W’ fenders around the bow including provision of a push knee if required. The mast can be of folding type if required and a large shipping hatch is located between the funnels providing a removal route for large items of machinery including an entire main engine. Overnight accommodation is provided forward for a crew of four in two cabins with the option of a three-cabin arrangement for a crew of five.
Six examples of the Bozçay class are already in service with Sanmar and Marintug in the Gulf of Izmit and Antalya Port in Turkey and this handy-sized conventional tug will no doubt follow the tradition of large numbers series production by Sanmar.
By Peter Barker
