The First of a New Breed From UNV

The first V B Supernacho was handed over to Remolques del Mediterraneo, SA in August and the V B Canarias to Remolcadores y Barcazas de Tenerife in September. On completion both tugs were subjected to extensive trials and achieved a bollard pull towing ahead of 64.6 tonnes and 56.9 tonnes astern, with a maximum free running speed of 13 knots.

Both tugs are azimuthing stern drive (ASD) vessels built to a design offered as an alternative to the company’s very successful series of Voith tractors produced in considerable numbers over the past couple of years. The tugs are intended for harbour, coastal and ocean going operation and measure 30.50m in length overall, with a moulded beam of 10.60m and design draft of 5.50m. Both vessels are equipped for fire fighting to FiFi 1 standards and anti-pollution services.

Bureau Veritas classification applies, with the notation: I +Hull + MACH Tug Firefighting Ship 1 With Water Spray, Unrestricted Navigation + AUT-UMS.

V B Supernacho and her sister are heavily built with plating thickness above the minimum required, transverse framing and longitudinal stiffeners. The tugs are well fendered for push-pull operation with moulded rubber sections from Getysa/Fentek.

Cylindrical fenders of 900mm diameter are fitted in the bow, with similar 600mm sections on the after quarters and 250mm ‘D’ section mouldings on both sides.

Integral tanks are provided to accommodate 248m 3of diesel fuel, 74m 3of fresh water, 18m 3of fire fighting foam and 9m 3ofchemical dispersant.

The tugs have identical propulsion systems. Two Deutz SBV 9M 628 four stroke main engines develop a total of 5500bhp, running at 1000rev/min. Power is transmitted to a pair of Schottel SRP 1515CP azimuthing propulsion units incorporating variable pitch propellers, controlled by a Schottel Master Pilot system in the wheelhouse.

Electrical power is supplied by three Deutz TD229-6 diesel driven alternators rated at 72kW each at 1.500rpm. Hydraulic power for the deck machinery is provided by pumps mounted on the front end of each main engine.

The vessels tow over the bow from two hydraulically powered combined towing winches and anchor windlasses from Hatlapa.

Each winch has a static brake load of 163 tonnes and is capable of accommodating 120m of synthetic fibre towline of 112mm diameter. A similar Hatlapa winch equipped with 800m of 52mm diameter towing steel wire is located on the afterdeck. A Oelkes-Eichler towing hook with a safe working load of 63 tonnes is also fitted along with a small electrically powered rope recovery drum.

Also mounted on the afterdeck is a Cytecma CK134/2SFC hydraulic crane, with its own electrically operated powerpack.

The crane serves a Zodiac 5 man rescue boat and can be used for other purposes.

The external (FiFi 1) fire fighting system is supplied by Kvaerner and comprises two centrifugal pumps driven by the main engines – one of 1.200m 3/hand one of 1.500m 3/h at 13.5 bar. This system supplies one combined water/foam monitor of 1200m 3/h capacity and one water only monitor of 1500m 3/hcapacity and self protection dousing nozzles.

All crew accommodation is above main deck level and is fully air-conditioned with facilities for seven persons, in one triple berth and two double cabins. Domestic facilities include a mess room, a fully equipped stainless steel galley and sanitary facilities fore and aft.

Both tugs have a well-glazed wheelhouse with exceptional all round vision for the master.

A comprehensive outfit of navigational and communications equipment is installed aboard.

VB Supernacho complies with the requirements for GMDSS area A2 and VB Canarias isequipped to the GMDSS area A3 standard.