A tug with extra firepower for Kuwait

However when an owner requires a major terminal support tug with significant towing and ship handling capabilities, and a Fire Fighting II capability of 8,400 cu/m/hr, the resulting vessel embodies the most important attributes of both terminal tug and fireboat.

Robert Allan Ltd (RAL) is internationally recognised for the many unique high performance tugs built to its designs, and is also gaining a worldwide reputation for major high performance fireboats. With that in mind the Kuwait Fire Services chose RAL to develop a new design for a major fire fighting tug for operation in the Kuwait Port of Shuwaikh.

A contract for the design and construction of the new vessel was awarded to the trading company Al Boom Marine of Kuwait, which retained Robert Allan Ltd. to develop the design and then awarded the construction contract to Simulation Tech Inc. (STI) of South Korea. The new vessel, named Mojaweb, was delivered in early March 2011 and is currently on route from Korea to the Middle East under its own power.

Due to a requirement for continuous operation in the significant sea states of the Arabian Gulf, the design was based on the well established RAstar 3600 class vessel. The RAstar family of tug designs incorporate a hull form with a significant outward flare and a large extended skeg, The result is much greater stability and significantly increased roll damping. This trade marked concept was developed by and is unique to tugs designed by RAL and has often been mentioned in Tugs & Towing.

Mojaweb measures 39.10m in length overall, with a moulded beam of 13.50m and operating draft of 5.05m. The design and construction meets the Lloyd’s Register class notation +100 A1 Escort Tug, +LMC, Fire-Fighting Ship 2 (8,400 m³/hr), with Waterspray. The owner’s specification called for a bollard pull (towing ahead) of at least 60 tons and a minimum free running speed of 12 knots, all of which were exceeded on trials.

The propulsion machinery comprises a pair of Wärtsilä 6L26 medium speed diesel engines, each rated 1,946 kW at 1,000 rpm (approx 5,220bhp). Each engine drives a Wärtsilä-Lips CS250-CP propulsion unit, with a 2,400 mm diameter propeller.

The Fi-Fi II fire-fighting capability is provided by an independent Wärtsilä 8L26 diesel, rated 2,590 kW at 1,000 rpm and driving two pumps, each rated at 2,400 cu/m/hr, and a pair of 1,800 cu/m/hr pumps driven by the main engines. Provision is made to carry 38 cu/m of fire fighting foam in a dedicated integral tank.

Although Mojaweb is equipped primarily as a fireboat, it is also equipped for typical tanker support and ship handling work, with a towing winch on the fore deck, and a 75 ton SWL towhook aft.

Accommodation is provided for an operating crew of up to 14 persons, with berths for a crew of nine and the ability to accommodate survivors and/or additional fire fighters. A compact but fully equipped galley serves a large common mess area on the main deck, The latter also doubles as a conference/meeting room/command centre.