A new flagship for Clyde Marine Services

CMS Buster

had just completed its delivery voyage from Damen Shipyards headquarters in Gorinchem and on-route carried out a barge tow from Portsmouth to the Clyde. Clyde Marine Services has enjoyed a long association of some 25 years with Damen and already employ four tug/workboats of various sizes with great success.

CMS Buster was built to the recently updated Damen Stan Tug 2208 design and is considerably more powerful than the company’s existing vessels. Measuring 22.8m in length overall, the vessel has a beam of 7.84m and draft (aft) of 3.74m, and meets the requirements of Bureau Veritas; +Hull, MACH, AUT-UMS, Tug Unrestricted Navigation.

A feature of the Stan Tug 2208 is that deck space has been maximised, giving a clear, safe, working area on the afterdeck and elsewhere. On this particular vessel the owner has chosen an open stern, with a stern roller (rated 30 tonnes SWL) and a large timber sheathed work deck. The opening in the stern has been carefully faired-in to minimise fouling when towing or anchor handling. A well fendered bow incorporates a single central push knee extending well below the waterline. Dedicated internal tanks can accommodate; 55.7cu/m of fuel oil, 8.6cu/m of fresh water, 2.9cu/m of lubricating oil, 2.4cu/m of dirty oil, 1.7cu/m of sewage and 2.6cu/m of bilge water.

In keeping with other twin screw vessels of its class, CMS Buster incorporates several design features intended to enhance its bollard pull and manoeuvrability. A pair of four blade Kaplan II style fixed pitch propellers are fitted, rotating within 2,200mm diameter Van der Giessen ‘Optima’ stainless steel lined nozzles. Power is provided by two Caterpillar 3516 TA/B diesel main engines, generating a total of 2,720bhp at 1,600rpm, coupled to the stern shafts via Reintjes WAF 664L gearboxes with a 5.95:1 reduction ratio. One rudder is located aft of each nozzle and operated by a powered hydraulic steering gear giving 2 x 45 degree rudder angle. This propulsion system gives the tug a bollard pull of 39.1 tons and a maximum free running speed of 11.8 knots.

The main engines are keel cooled and on this vessel exhaust gases are discharged through the transom, eliminating the need for exhaust uptakes that might impede vision from the wheelhouse. Two Caterpillar C4.4T 64.5kVA auxiliary generator sets are installed, supplying onboard electrical power at 230/400v, 50Hz.

Deck equipment includes a Kraaijeveld anchor windlass with a warping head, a 7.5 ton tugger/bridle winch, a Heila HLM 25-3S hydraulic deck crane, a Mampaey 45 ton tow hook and a towing and anchor handling winch. The hydraulically powered winch has a maximum brake holding capacity of 100 tons, a 10 ton pull at 10m/min or 5 tons at 23m/min. The single drum can accommodate 300m of 44mm diameter steel wire rope.

Fully air conditioned accommodation is available for a maximum of eight persons. The superstructure at deck level is very compact and contains a single cabin for the Captain, a shower and sanitary facilities. The galley and a separate mess room. Accommodation below decks includes a single cabin for the chief engineer, one two berth cabin, one four berth cabin and additional sanitary facilities.

The wheelhouse has internal access and exceptional all round vision. A navigational and communications outfit, comprising a largely Furuno package, is suitable for both harbour, coastal and short sea operations.

The arrival of CMS Buster enhances the capability of the Clyde Marine Services fleet considerably. All four of the existing vessels were built by Damen. In May 2007 the new Stan Tug 1907 Bruiser was delivered, bringing a welcome 28 tons bollard pull to the fleet and joining the Stan Tug 1906 Battler, a 20.8 tons bollard pull vessel completed in 2004. The remaining tug/workboats are the Stan Tug 1 Biter with 10 tons bollard pull and the less powerful Stan Tug 1 Beaver Bay with 5 tons. In addition to towage the company undertakes mooring and port services, ship tendering, and operates passenger/crew vessels in the Clyde region. The arrival of CMS Buster coincided with the company receiving accreditation to OHSAS 18001 for Health and Safety Management, in addition to it’s existing ISO9001:2000 Quality Management System.