New multi-purpose vessel on brink of launch

While closely associated with tugs, utility vessels and workboats take the idea of a ‘working vessel’ to a different level providing a wide range of capabilities to satisfy an equally wide range of requirements.

Workboats are typically represented by pontoon-shaped ‘multi cat’ type vessels, series-built mainly by a handful of European-based shipbuilders and designers. But UK-based Tor Group’s new utility vessel employs a more conventional hull form while still offering capabilities to provide a range of support services.

Tor Boreas is being built to a design from Aberdeenshire-based MacDuff Ship Design and is currently under construction for Tor Group in Turkey.

“The vessel is currently undergoing outfitting – pipework, blasting and painting – and we are still looking at a Q2 launch,” Stephen Talbot, head of Operations at Tor Group, told MJ. “The vessel is available for sale or for charter.”

Small vessel – big possibilities

Renderings of the vessel indicate a conventional profile similar to a tug with two high decks, forecastle and bridge deck above the main deck, providing notable protection for the main deck work area aft with space for various deck machinery provisions.

The forecastle deck also provides weather protection from high bulwarks apart from a lower section forward, where personnel access provision over the bow is indicated.

Basic functions for Tor Boreas include dive support and offshore services, lifting, utility, berthing and towing. The Bureau Veritas-class vessel carries the notation: BV1 ✠ HULL, MACH, Wind Farm Service Ship – M2 Tug standardised bollard pull 15 tons, Unrestricted Navigation, AUT-UMS, DYNAPOS AM/AT. Main particulars include a length overall of 26.95m on a breadth of 11m and maximum draught 2.9m.

Looking into the machinery space, the diesel/electric arrangement comprises three MAN D2676 main generators each developing 340ekW, 400V, 50Hz and supplying power to two Schottel SRP 210 FP azimuth thrusters, making the overall vessel configuration an ASD design.

A Baudouin 4W105 ES, 76ekW, 400V harbour generator is included and manoeuvrability is enhanced via a Veth VT-90, 99kW bow thruster. Duties could include supplying compressed air and two 1.5kW, 10bar air compressors are included along with a 25m³/hr emergency fire pump.

Deck machinery for such vessels is all-important and Tor Boreas is adequately equipped in this regard.

A four-point mooring system is included, comprising four 1,000kg Delta Flipper anchors each connected by 600m of 20mm diameter wire rope to four electrically driven, deck and bridge controlled winches.

Band brake holding load for each is 25 tons with tension, length and speed monitoring systems included.

Conventional towing duties are provided by an electrically driven, single-drum towing winch aft, again controlled from the deck or bridge. It has capacity for 600m of 34mm steel wire with a nominal pull of 25 tons (first layer) and a monitoring system similar to the anchor/mooring winches.

A hydraulically driven, local and remotely controlled offshore crane is included in the deck machinery list with a maximum outreach of 12.7m and maximum lifting capacity of 13,000kg at 4m (sea state 3). A moonpool is also included and finally a hydraulic 5000kg at 3m maximum capacity A-frame and 30 ton SWL stern roller are provided.

The wheelhouse has conventional split consoles and a seating area together with an extensive communication and navigation fit including DP1 system. Accommodation on Tor Boreas comprises two single-berth and eight double-berth crew cabins, all en-suite with additional provision for 12 passengers.

Tor Group has an interesting history, its origins dating back to the 1880s when Mustafa “the carpenter” Torlak started manufacturing wooden boats in the Rize Province of the Eastern Black Sea region.

It became part of the newly established Republic of Türkiye in the 1920s and from these origins as a small family business, Tor Group is now headquartered in the UK, has a brand new shipbuilding facility in Istanbul and a global network of partner yards.

The current reference list dates from 1974 with nearly 100 vessels up to 23,000dwt listed as delivered, covering a wide spectrum including container vessels; bulk carriers, general cargo vessels; chemical and product tankers; oil recovery vessels; tugs and workboats; pilot and patrol boats; and finally, yachts. The main focus is now tugs and workboats.