A prompt delivery for L & R

The tug is an up to date version of the popular compact ASD 2411 design with a bollard pull of over 70 tonnes.

In keeping with all of the Damen ASD range, the design has been the subject of continued review and refinement. The tug is 24.47m in length overall with a moulded beam of 10.70m and draft aft of 5.35m. Scantlings are quoted as 12mm for the hull and 15mm for the sheerstrake. Construction and design complies with Germanischer Lloyd class rules for the notations; +100 A5 Tug (+) MC AUT for use under the German flag.

Prompt has the same successful hull form as its predecessors, with a large forward skeg with a docking extension. Considerable effort has been expended to ensure that the decks and bulwarks are as clear of obstructions as possible for the safety of the crew and ease of maintenance. Fendering at bow and stern is designed to ensure that ‘push-pull’ operations and other shiphandling manoeuvres can be carried out safely and without damage.

Virtually all shiphandling operations are carried out using the combined towing winch and anchor windlass on the fore deck. The winch has a single ‘split’ drum with a brake holding capacity of 150 tonnes and a maximum line pull of 30 tonnes. The towline is deployed via a tubular ‘towing fairlead’ with two apertures lined with stainless steel. A single tubular towing post (bollard) is installed aft for occasional and emergency use.

Two Caterpillar 3516C TA HD/D main engines with a total rating of 5,600 bhp (4,180bkW) at 1,600 rpm are located in the spacious engine room and coupled to a pair of Rolls-Royce US 255 azimuthing propulsion units. The latter incorporate 2,600mm diameter, five blade, fixed pitch propellers. This propulsion system, along with the well established hullform, makes Prompt an extremely agile vessel with a maximum bollard pull towing ahead of 71.2 tonnes, and 65.7 tonnes astern, along with a maximum speed of 13.4 knots.

Also located in the engine room, on the centreline, are two Caterpillar C4.4 TA auxiliary generators rated at 86kVA, 230/400V 50 Hz. Box coolers are installed for both main engines and auxiliairies and the heavily lagged exhaust silencers for both are situated in the engine room, reducing the need for large intrusive exhaust stacks at bridge deck level.

Heated and air conditioned accommodation is provided for up to four persons in two single and one double berth cabin, and the usual galley and messroom.