15th Volume, No. 45 1963 – “51 years tugboatman” – 2014 Dated 20 July 2014 BUYING, SALES, NEW BUILDING, RENAMING AND OTHER TUGS TOWING & OFFSHORE INDUSTRY NEWS TUGS & TOWING NEWS THE FIRST 70 TONNES VERSION OF RAMPARTS 2400SX DESIGN, “M/T PALAEMON” IS DELIVERED… A Boğaçay Class tug (Ramparts 2400 SX 70), the first 70 tonnes version of this series is delivered to EGEPORT Turkey and renamed Palaemon. Boğaçay class ASD tugs meet the requirements of the under 24m rule. These models, all Robert Allan Limited designs, build on the phenomenal success of the builder’s 45 to 50 tonne bollard pull Ulupinar series of which 18 have now been constructed. 2400 SX model, an exclusive Sanmar design, is closest to the Ulupinar series but with a 2m increase in beam over the same length. This ensures greater performance as well as stability from more powerful Caterpillar engines coupled to larger Rolls- Royce Z-drives. This design is based on an intended low-manning operation with a high standard of machinery automation but the accommodations can be adjusted to match almost any reasonable requirement. The layout shown has been developed to match the most commonly acceptable manning standards. Optional layouts are available as either basic "day boat" or with full accommodation for a crew of up to six persons. The RAmparts 2400 SX design code "SX" for Sanmar Exclusive which means the design has been modified by Robert Allan Ltd. to suit Sanmar Shipyard's standard production range and optimized with the operational input from Sanmar's tug operation department. In 70 tonnes version, the main specs are as follows: Main Engines: Caterpillar 3516 C HD; Engine Power: 2 x 1920 kW @ 1600 rpm; Thrusters: Rolls Royce US255; Propeller Dia: 2600 mm; Length O.A.: 24.4 m; Beam moulded: 11.25 m; Draft (Max): 5.2 m; Speed ahead: 12 knots; Bollard Pull ahead: 70 tonnes. (Press Release Sanmar) Advertisement 1/25 15TH VOLUME, NO. 45 DATED 20 JULY 2014 SEA PATRON TOWING 1965 BUILT CABLE LAYER The 1965 built Belize flag cable layer Certa (Imo 6514974) formerly Certamen towed by the Malta flag with call sign 9HA2402 and owned anchor handling vessel Sea Patron (Imo 8214097) shortly after leaving Grand Harbour, Malta on Tuesday 8th July, 2014 assisted by tugs Lieni (Imo 8922333) and Sea Salvor (Imo 9203100) and piloted by Pilot Stephen Cauchi bound to Aliaga, Turkey. The Sea Patron is the former Smit Sumatera built in 1983 by Sing Koon Seng Pte. Ltd. – Singapore for Smit-Tak International Ltd. – Singapore. She has a length of 42.02 mtrs a beam of 4.60 mtrs and a depth of 5.01 mtrs. The two Stork-Werkspoor mainengines develops a total output of 2,180 kW (2,920 bhp) with a speed of 14 knots and a bollard pull of 45 tons.(Photo: Capt. Lawrence Dalli - www.maltashipphotos.com) WILLY-B OPERATIONAL AT THE NEW BOTLEK BRIDGE Last week was seen the tugboat Willy-B operating at the new Botlek bridge at the Oude Maas. The Willy- B is a tug/Launch/Pusher vessel built in 1980 by H.A. van Gelder – Gorinchem; Netherlands for Grun – Billfinger; Germany as Lütt Biber. In 1990 sold to Vof Scheepvaart P.Bruinsma – Vlaardingen and renamed Billy-B. She has a length of 14.72 mtrs a beam of 4.40 mtrs and a depth of 2.21 mtrs. The 1980 Caterpillar develops an output of 272 kW (370 bhp). (Photo: Freek Koning) COPS PROBE TUG FOUND SAILING SUSPICIOUSLY TOWARDS KARACHI The owner of the tug, which was spotted 90 nautical miles off Mumbai's coast, claimed to be heading for Satpati in Thane, but never went there. The Yellow Gate police are investigating an incident wherein a tug, IV Gangasagar BDR, was spotted sailing 90 nautical miles off the west coast of Mumbai on June 29. The cops suspect the vessel could be part of a diesel smuggling mafia operating in the high seas across the Mumbai coast. A patrolling Dornier helicopter of the Coast Guard spotted the tug while it was sailing suspiciously 90 nautical miles in international waters in the west, along a route usually taken to reach Karachi. When contacted, the tug operator said that they were on their 2/25 15TH VOLUME, NO. 45 DATED 20 JULY 2014 way to Satpati in Thane, where they were called to pull a tug which had a breakdown in mid sea. CG officials asked them to change route as they were in international waters, and sail back towards Satpati. The CG officials then alerted their counterparts at Satpati to keep a watch for Gangasagar. However, when the CG officials reached Mumbai on July 2, they learnt that Gangasagar never reached Satpati. CG officials then alerted the Yellow Gate police, who summoned the tug owner, identified as Yasin Shaikh. "Shaikh said his tug was sailing towards Satpati when it developed some problem and they drifted west and unknowingly entered international waters. He also confirmed CG officials warned them, and said that after repairing the vessel they tried searching for the broken down tug, but as they could not locate it, they returned to Mumbai coast on June 30," a police officer said. "But when we checked we found that Shaikh's tug had already been repaired 48 hours before being spotted by CG, then what was it doing in the high seas? Their claim of being summoned to pull a tug at Satpati also seems false as they never went there, and were found sailing in the opposite direction. It is highly possible that the tug was operating for smugglers and turned back after being spotted," the officer said. "When asked about the person who hired his tug, Shaikh said that he was not in town and would be back in a few days. Shaikh also claimed that most of his 10 crew members had gone to their native places in Uttar Pradesh and would not return until next month," the officer added. Meanwhile, a team of forensic experts have taken cotton swabs from the tug's cabin and storage space, and it is being investigated if the tug was carrying any explosives or other such material. A team of NCB Mumbai also examined the vessel but couldn't find any trace of narcotics. The cops are now investigating the background of the tug's owner and crew members. (Source: Mumbai Mirror) Advertisement UNION RUBY UNION SAPPHIRE On the 11th July Sisterships Union Ruby and Union Sapphire seen at the Smit dock in Rotterdam-Waalhaven. Union Sapphire was fitted with a stern roller a couple of years ago, for anchorhandling. She and the Union Diamond are managed by Boskalis Offshore Energy. This week Union Ruby was also transferred from her harbour duties to the offshore division. It probably won't be long before 3/25 15TH VOLUME, NO. 45 DATED 20 JULY 2014 she too will be dressed in dredger grey. Both tugs left last night in the dark. (Photo: Hans Hoffmann) M/T BISON IS DELIVERED TO HER OWNER The recent delivery of the FiFi1 escort tug Bison to Norwegian owner Buksér og Berging AS highlights one of Sanmar Marine’s proud boasts – the ability to provide proven hulls with a tailored fit-out. The Turkish builder uses only first class designs, in this case by Robert Allan Ltd of Canada, but is prepared to meet each customer’s special needs with a list of individual modifications to suit operational requirements. In this way the customer gets a performance guaranteed tailor-made tug but with the shorter construction time and cost benefits of a standard model. In essence, Bison is a RAstar 2800/80 escort/terminal ASD tug measuring 28.2m x 12.6m and the ninth of this class to be built by Sanmar. Standard on this model is a sponsoned hull form, which enhances escorting stability. However, a number of improvements have also been made to enhance performance. A bollard pull of 80 tonnes and a free-running speed of 14 knots can now be obtained from a twin Caterpillar main engine installation comprising two IMO Tier II, 3516C type main engines, each developing 2240kW at 1800 rev/min. These turn Rolls-Royce model US 25CP Z-drives. Furthermore, the skeg has beeen re-designed to improve escorting capability The deck machinery is also by Rolls Royce with winches fore and aft, however the deck crane is from Palfinger – a type PK 15500 remotely controlled unit. Tow pins are fitted ahead of a 150 ton SWL stern roller. The forward towing bitts have been re-configured with all towing arrangement surfaces covered with polished 316L stainless steel. The aft deck has also beeen fitted with standard container fixing points. For the terminal environment in which the tug will be operating, all deck and air intakes comply with Hazardous Zone 2 Area requirements and explosion proof lighting, internal communication and deck machinery components are fitted. Sanmar has also fitted a cold climate package; with hot water boiler, and improved insulation in all areas including the Z-drive room. There is also a heat recovery system which heats up the vessel after the engines are started. Bison will join Buksér og Berging’s fleet serving the Swedish petrochemical industry at the terminal in Stenungsund. The vessel will operate under Swedish flag with a Swedish crew of four. This has led to a further modification from the standard Sanmar Terminal layout which has accommodation for eight persons. By using the available space for just four en suite cabins (one is a double), the room and comfort allowed for each crewmember can be more generous.