TUGS & SALVAGE

Crowley to build new ‘Ocean’ class tugs – by Jack Gaston

17 years ago

Major US towage and transportation group Crowley has signed a contract with Bollinger Shipyards to build two newly designed ocean-going tugs, with options for additional vessels.

American operator Crowley has ordered the first of a new series of powerful deepsea tugs.

This class of 10,880 horsepower tugs marks the beginning of a newbuild programme at Crowley to further enhance its ocean towing, salvage and offshore support capabilities.

Designated the Ocean Class, the first two tugs will be named Ocean Wave and Ocean Wind. Bollinger Marine Fabricators LLC in Amelia, Louisiana USA will construct the vessels, with deliveries scheduled for the third quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of 2012 respectively.

Crowley subsidiary, Jensen Maritime Consultants, has played a key role in assisting Ed Schlueter, vice president of Crowley’s Vessel Management Services and a multi-disciplinary team with the design. This next generation of deepsea tugs will be 44.50m long, 13.41m beam and have a draft of 6.40m. A minimum bollard pull of 150 tons is anticipated along with a range of approximately 12,600 nautical miles at a free running speed 15 knots.

The vessels will be equipped for long range, high performance, ocean towing and incorporate features designed with personnel safety as a priority. Work on deck will be made easier and safer by installing a waterfall style winch, shark jaws and retractable pins, all controlled from the wheelhouse, keeping the deck clear of personnel and creating a safer working environment.

A twin screw propulsion system will be installed, incorporating controllable pitch propellers in nozzles and high lift rudders for a combination of performance and fuel economy. Caterpillar main engines and auxiliaries are all EPA Tier II compliant, with the ability to be upgraded for future environmental standards for cleaner emissions and a lower environmental impact.

During construction each vessel will be documented and receive a Green Passport Certification. Further environmental protection is provided by the tugs’ double hulls, which are designed to prevent any overboard discharges of fuel or fluids. All tanks containing liquids are inboard of the side shell.

The tugs will meet all SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) criteria including an ABS Fi-Fi 1 firefighting class notation. Vessels of the Ocean Class will be capable of rig moves, platform and FPSO tows, emergency response, rescue towing, fire-fighting, and have the capability to support salvage under the US Navy’s SUPSALV Contract.