Seattle-based Harley Marine Services said March 20 that it
has received delivery of one new ship-handling vessel and is expected to add
another to its fleet in the coming months.
The Michelle Sloan was delivered to
Harley Marine on March 20, and her sister vessel, the Lela Franco, is currently
being built at Diversified Marine of Portland, Oregon, for delivery in about
three months, according to Harley Marine.
Each tug is expected to operate in the Los Angeles and Long
Beach harbors.
Both vessels are designed with a length of 80 feet, a beam
of 36 feet and a depth of 16 feet, eight inches. They will be powered with
about 5,200 horsepower and have the ability to achieve sixty-five tons of
bollard pull.
Each vessel will also equipped with two CAT 3516, Tier III
engines and two 125kw John Deere 6068, Tier III generators. The engines,
according to Harley, reduce NOx and particulate matter by 74 percent from a
Tier II engine.
The Michelle Sloan, according to Harley
Marine, is equipped with a Markey bow winch, a barge handling stern winch, and
Shibata fendering. Soundproofing material was added to the bulkheads and decks
to improve life onboard the vessel for the crew.
Additionally, a closed circuit TV (CCTV) has been installed
to the engine room for semi-automation, and can be accessed from the wheelhouse
or ashore for management to monitor.
“The vessels are being built with the most technically and
environmentally advanced equipment available and will exceed all regulatory,
internal, and customers’ needs and expectations,” Harley Marine said in a
statement.