Australian shipbuilder Structural Marine of Henderson has built two more compact shiphandling tugs, similar to the successful Cape Pasley constructed for use in Western Australian two years ago ( Maritime Journal -August 2002). This latest pair have been constructed to a very similar design produced jointly by A G McIlwain Ltd andAustralian design company McAlpine Marine Design .
Named Baru and Guya the vessels were purpose built for use by Alcan Gove at a particularly exposed bauxite terminal at Gove in the Northern Territory. These tugs represent a further example of the increasing use of small, extremely powerful, agile, shiphandling tugs, manned by small crews, to handle large ships.
Although the configuration of the new vessels closely follows that of Cape Pasley there are some important differences in hull design and machinery. A similar underwater hull-form has been adopted with a substantial tubular docking skeg extending below the propulsion units.
Baru and Guya have an overall length of 23.8m, a beam of 10.67m and draft of 4.7m. The tugs are classed ABS - +A1 towing vessel, AMS, ABCU. Dedicated tanks accommodate 89,000 litres of fuel and 3,000 litres of fresh water, considerably more than the previous vessel. Extensive permanent rubber fendering is fitted, forward, aft and along both sides. The only substantial difference between the two vessels is that Baru is fitted with an Orion Ranger fire monitor with an output of 600m 3per hour at 12 bar and no deck crane.
Main propulsion power is provided by two Caterpillar 3516 -HD main engines generating a total of 4746bhp (3548kW) to drive a pair Rolls Royce US205 fully azimuthing propulsion units. This propulsion system gives the tugs a nominal bollard pull of approximately 60 tonnes ahead and astern and free running speeds in either direction of about 12 1/2 knots.
Shiphandling is carried out over the bow from a single-drum towing winch supplied by the builders. The winch has a line pull (for rope recovery) of 5 tonnes, a brake holding load of 200 tonnes, and variable speed of 0 to 80m/min.
Hydraulic power is supplied by two pumps, one on each main engine.
Guya is fitted with an Effer hydraulic deck crane.
Baru and Guya are designed for two-man operation but in their current working environment a three-man crew is the norm.
Accommodation is provided for up to six personnel, in three two-berth cabins, and includes the normal galley and messing facilities. The superstructure and wheelhouse are modular, constructed entirely of aluminium alloy, and installed on resilient mounts to reduce the effects of noise and vibration.
