Farsund Fortøyningsselskap (FFS) Marine has welcomed an EDDY-design tug to its growing fleet from Holland Shipyards Group
This harbour and terminal tug with hybrid propulsion operates on the southern coast of Norway.
FFS Athos, originally named Atlas, was immediately in action following its delivery in January 2020.
It was mobilised to assist LPG tanker Crystal Lavender on 11 February as the 4,300-gt vessel suffered engine failure west of Farsund, Norway. FFS Athos towed Crystal Lavender to safety.
FFS Athos was built to an EDDY TUG 30-65 design, which was developed inhouse with Holland Shipyards.
To meet FFS Marine’s requirements the shipyard made several modifications to FFS Athos before delivery, including fitting a marine crane and an extension of the winch.
Holland Shipyards said this tug design was built round three key criteria: performance, economy and safety.
“The slender hullform is easily driven, easy on gear, highly seaworthy and course-stable in any direction,” said Holland Shipyards.
FFS Athos has compact centreline drive-trains and azimuthal thrusters forward and aft. This results in simple operations with a 360° working range.
“With thruster positioning, the tug has the capability to maintain a continuous line tension under any circumstances,” said Holland Shipyards.
FFS Athos is able to free sail in diesel-electric mode. Its hybrid drive train ensures optimised fuel economy in all operational modes.
Holland Shipyards said this tug is a safe working platform because of the high dynamic stability, watertight compartments and spacious dry decks without obstructions.
Deck machinery includes a double-drum, render-recover Safe-Winch, which mitigates the risk of having slack towlines and towline overload.
FFS Marine invested in training facilities to ensure its masters would become fully proficient in handling the EDDY tug design. It purchased a simulator with a digital design of the Farsund area for teaching ship towage and berthing operations.
Other vessels in the FFS Marine fleet include 1997-built azimuth stern drive tug, FFS Amaranth, with 52 tonnes of bollard pull and mooring tractor tug, FFS Haka.
FFS Marine also operates 1994-built multicat and anchor handling towing vessel FFS Ares, multipurpose crane vessel FFS Amon, plus two pontoons.
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