SL Gabon, an important delivery for Smit Lamnalco

The rugged and powerful Damen Stan Tug 4011 is the first of two identical offshore support tugs to be built for Smit Lamnalco to service a five year contract with Total Gabon. They are designed to provide support in the offshore oilfields and to assist tanker operations at the onshore terminal of Cap Lopez, at Port Gentil, Gabon. SL Gabon will be joined shortly by sister vessel SL Libreville.

SL Gabon measures 40.75m in length overall, 11.62m beam, with a depth of 4.90m and draft aft (98% loaded) of 4.55m. Classed by Bureau Veritas, the tug complies with the notations; 1+Hull +MACH Tug Unrestricted Navigation, IWS MON-SHAFT AUT UMS. It is built to undertake berthing, anchorhandling, fire fighting, towing, survey, diving support, pollution control, and stand-by safety and rescue operations.

On trials the SL Gabon achieved a bollard pull of 74.8 tonnes and a free running speed of 13.2 knots.

The StanTug 4011 is a vessel from the top end of the well established Damen range of twin-screw vessels. In this case the tug has a conventional anchorhander configuration, with a high forecastle and accommodation and a large clear work deck aft. SL Gambon is fitted out with air conditioned accommodation for a crew of 16 persons. The usual crew facilities are supplemented with a ship’s office, extensive storage facilities and an emergency treatment room.

Two Caterpillar 3516C TA HS/C main engines develop a total of 3,730 kW (5,000 hp), with twin fixed pitch propellers driven via Reintjes WAF 873/7.526:1 reverse reduction gearboxes. Each 2,815mm diameter bronze propeller turns in a Van der Guissen high performance fixed nozzle. A 215kW hydraulically powered transverse bow thruster is also installed.

Three Caterpillar C-09 TA auxiliary generators each rated at 219kVA 230/400V 50Hz are house in the forward end of the engine room. A 42kVA emergency generator, powered by a Caterpillar C4.4NA, is housed in the superstructure. A 1,200m3/hr fire pump supplying the fire fighting system is driven by another Caterpillar diesel, a C12 Acert also located in the engine room.

A DMT ‘waterfall’ style double drum towing and anchorhandling winch is semi-enclosed at the aft end of the forecastle deck. The drums have a maximum brake holding load of 140 tonnes and a line pull of 40 tonnes at 10m/min. Other associated deck equipment includes two 7.7 tonne tugger winches, a Mampaey 75 tonne quick release towhook and one set of Karmoy towpins and line handling gear. Also installed is a Heila HLRM 45-55 deck crane with a maximum reach of 16.72m,

The Total Gabon contract renews a longstanding partnership between the oil major and Smit Lamnalco. The newbuildings replace two older Damen built vessels, and join the existing tugs Smit Manji and Smit Ozouri, built in 2007.