Marathon delivery for Damen tug

The vessel in question is the ASD 2411 tug named Jesus, built at Damen’s Changde facility for Mexican marine services provider Remolque y Lanchaje del Puerto de Veracruz S.A. de C.V (Reylaver). The delivery passage started in Shanghai, then onto Dutch Harbour in Alaska via Japan, US west coast and Panama Canal to its final destination in Veracruz. Some six weeks later the naming ceremony took place in the presence of the owners and personnel of Reylaver, local authorities, press and representatives from Damen.

While Jesus is a standard design from Damen’s portfolio a number of custom features were specified to meet requirements of the client including modifications to its accommodation. The adaptations resulted in a tug with a notable power to size ratio combining both standard design and custom features further enhancing the ASD 2411’s suitability for harbour operations.

Jesus is classed by Lloyd’s Register with notation: +100A1, Tug[+], LMC, UMS, IWS, Fire Fighting Ship 1. Dimensions include: LOA 24.47m, beam OA 11.33m, draught aft 5.6m. Tank capacities include: fuel oil 70.7m3, fresh water 8.9m3 and foam 6.4m3.

Looking in the machinery space, main engines are two Caterpillar 3516C TA HD+/D diesels developing 4,200bkW (5,632bhp) at 1,600rpm with propulsion from two Rolls-Royce US255 azimuth thrusters each with five-bladed 2,600mm diameter propellers turning in nozzles. The engine room forced ventilation is 30 m3/hr and performance figures are 68.8tbp (ahead), 65.2tbp (astern) and speed ahead 13.3kn.

Caterpillar also feature in the auxiliary equipment list providing two C4.4 TA, 86kVA, 230/400V, 50Hz gensets. General service pumps are from Sterling with two AKHK 5101 20m3/hr installations along with two R 35/40, 3.4m3/hr at 4 bar fuel oil header pumps. Fire-fighting provision is via a diesel driven pump of 2,400m3/hr capacity supplying two 1,200m3/hr water/foam monitors.

Continuing our tour to the main deck, towing is carried out mainly over the bow from a hydraulic two-speed, split-drum towing winch with warping head. The winch pulling power is 33t up to 11m/min with reduced pull speed up to 51m/min, brake load on second layer is 150t. A Mampaey 100t SWL towing hook is provided aft. Fendering comprises W-type block bow fender, D-fender on the sides and aft and cylindrical fenders at transom corners.

Modifications to standard designs can involve the accommodation to satisfy both regulations in the operating area and specific role requirements. Jesus has air-conditioned and heated accommodation for four (plus four) persons comprising a captain’s cabin, chief engineer’s cabin and one crew cabin for six persons. The standard galley, mess room and sanitary spaces are also provided.

By Peter Barker