Battler a New Tug for the Clyde

Battler is the latest in a long line of Stan Tug 1906 vessels produced at Damen’s Gorinchem shipyard and elsewhere around the world. A twin-screw vessel of 19.50m in length overall, the tug has a 6.04m beam, a draft of 2.59m and displacement 129 tonnes. Integral tanks accommodate 24.1m 3of fuel, 2.4m 3of fresh water and 1.9m 3of water ballast. The hull is in all respects a ‘standard’ product and the vessel is fitted out to comply with the requirements of Lloyds +100 A1 – Launch Specified Coastal Service LMC, and the MCA Workboat Code Category 2.

Two Caterpillar 3412C TA/B diesel main engines produce a total of 1440bhp at a maximum continuous rating of 1800 rev/min. Power is transmitted to a pair of bronze, fixed pitch, four blade Promarin propellers, via Reintjes WAF 364L gearboxes with a reduction ratio of 1:4.92.

The propellers rotate within two 1500mm diameter Van der Giessen Optima fixed nozzles of the very latest type, working in conjunction with matching high lift rudders. This new and highly successful combination gave the tug a bollard pull on trials of 20.8 tonnes and a maximum free running speed of 11.7 knots.

Electrical power is supplied by a single Lister-Petter DWS 4 generator set with a rating of 29kVA at 50 Hz, 230-240v, 3 phase. Two 24v, 200 amp/hour battery packs are installed for engine starting and domestic use. Both main engines and the auxiliary are keel cooled.

A Mampaey quick release tow hook, with a safe working load of 250kN, is provided and mounted on the usual ‘Dutch style’ bitts.

Two ‘Pool’ – High holding power anchors are handled by a hand-operated windlass by Rek & Horsman.

Battler has accommodation for up to five persons, with one single and one four-berth cabin, a galley and the usual basic sanitary facilities. The large well-glazed wheelhouse has seating and messing facilities and adequate space for additional survey equipment if required. A full-width forward console houses controls and instrumentation for the engines, propulsion, steering and auxiliary functions.

Navigational and communications equipment includes, a Koden MDC-1041 radar, a Kotter type magnetic compass, a Koden GPS track display GTD-110 chart plotter and Sailor RT 4822 VHF radios.

The new tug joins a fleet of three Dutch built tug-workboats, ranging from 5 to 11 tonnes bollard pull, employed on barge towing and berthing operations for small to medium sized vessels using the various Clyde ports. A 24-hour a day service is provided and the new tug will meet increasing demands for a more powerful vessel.

Clyde Marine Services Ltd was formed and has since been operated by four generations of the Munro family. The company was originally established in 1913 to provide an efficient and reliable 24-hour, all-weather ship/shore service for the many shipping and shipbuilding industries using the Clyde estuary for ship trials. The business has steadily developed and expanded to encompass the operation of tugs, ferries, passenger tenders, charter cruise vessels, and the provision of boatmen, riggers and other harbour services. Areas of operation extend from Glasgow Harbour seawards to the Firth of Clyde ports and anchorages, including Ayr and Campbeltown.

All vessels are able to transit the Crinan Canal and are occasionally mobilised for service on the West Coast of Scotland.