Friday, February 5, 2016

Jensen Maritime Designing Escort Tugs

By Mark Edward Nero

Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering company Jensen Maritime has been chosen to provide detailed design services for two, 100-foot long, 40-foot wide, escort tugs for McAllister Towing.

The design services for the New York-based towing and transportation company are to include stability, structure and systems design.

The 12-knot, 6,770-horsepower tugs are to be constructed at Horizon Shipbuilding in Bayou LaBatre, Alabama, and are scheduled for delivery in 2017.

The Brian A. McAllister and the Rosemary McAllister will be the 31st and 32nd ocean going escort/rescue tugboats in the fleet respectively, but will be the first that are Tier IV, meaning they utilize high-efficiency catalytic after-treatment technology to reduce emissions.

Powered by twin Z-drive propulsion units, the tugs will have an approximate bollard pull of 90 short tons, making them suitable for offshore service, ship assist, escort, maneuvering and docking. Both tugs will be Load Lined and Classed by the American Bureau of Shipping as +A1, Towing, Escort, +AMS, and FFV-1.

Since 2001, Jensen has designed 13 tugs for McAllister’s 75-vessel fleet, according to Jensen Vice President Johan Sperling.

“Their continued reliance on our knowledgeable naval architecture and marine engineering services proves that we are a trusted and effective, long-term partner for fleet development and refurbishments,” Sperling said.