The little Bratts are alive and well

Originally conceived by Robert Allan Ltd and Capt Ron Burchett as a training vessel, the little 7.8m ASD tug BRAtt has been developed into a class of small but tough workboats. The vessel was first introduced to the towage industry at ITS 2010 but its ongoing development continues to excite and attract new owners.

Recent developments have produced not only a very cost effective tug for training but an ultra-compact workboat which can operate in small ports and perform specialised functions such as shiphandling, line handling, boom deployment, etc. BRAtt designs are now available in a range of sizes, from 7m to 10m, in both aluminium and steel construction.

The BRAtt has all the functionality of a full sized tug, incorporating a fully operational ship-handling winch and modern fully azimuthing propulsion units. Those features give the operator the opportunity to train personnel in a realistic environment with all of the associated real world variables. Risks and costs are reduced significantly during training as no additional crew are required, and running costs are much less. Similarly, the BRAtt ‘MicroTug’ can perform everyday small tug duties in a fully functional manner, and it is that capability which has surprisingly attracted the most attention since its introduction.

Interest from the industry has led to three BRAtt designs either built or in production to date; The BRAtt 780-AE (7.8m Aluminum Escort), the BRAtt 880-SU (8.8m Steel Utility), and the BRAtt 880-SL (8.8m Steel Line-handling).

Adrenalin Marine Ltd of Delta, B.C. was chosen as the licensed builder for all BRAtts in North America and to date has built three of these innovative new vessels. While the original BRAtt is of all welded aluminium construction and has been classified as a BRAtt 780-AE, a pair built recently for Suncor Energy are constructed with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure.

These new BRAtt 880-SU workboats are ice strengthened utility vessels of 9.40m in length overall, with a maximum beam of 4.65m, a moulded depth of 1.87m and maximum draft of approximately 1.70m. The steel hull incorporates vertical push knees and fendering supplied by Schuyer is fitted to the push knees, sides and stern. The side fenders are removable for transportation by road.

The vessel is powered by two Cummins QSB5.9-230 HD diesel engines, each rated 168 Kw at 2,600 rpm, driving Olympic HD-3 drives through ZF reduction gearboxes. On trials, the BRAtt 880-SU met or exceeded all performance expectations, with a bollard pull of 3 tonnes and free running speed ahead of 8.3 knots.

The electrical system comprises one 7kW, 120/240V AC diesel generator, 24 Volt DC, domestic and starting batteries, battery charger and engine driven alternators

Deck machinery includes two hydraulic barge connecting winches with a maximum brake holding capacity of 7.1 tonnes each.