Multipurpose tow vessel design unveiled

Damen Shipyards has unveiled a new shallow draught multipurpose tug design for operations in harbours and estuaries.

The Dutch shipbuilding group revealed its latest Shoalbuster (SBu), which has increased width to accommodate recent changes to working conditions for seafarers.

Damen introduced the SBu 2711 design at the Seawork 2019 exhibition in Southampton, UK, this week to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first Shoalbuster design.

These vessels combine the bollard pull of a harbour tug with the shallow draught of a multicat.

This latest version, SBu 2711, is 27 m long and 11 m wide. Its living quarters comply with the latest Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) rules concerning crew accommodation capacity.

In designing the SBu 2711, Damen widened its SBu 2709 design and increased accommodation to seven workers.

Damen manager for design and proposals John Krielaart said there were other changes to the technical specifications. “This wider vessel has more buoyancy, it can carry more or heavier equipment on the larger deck space,” he said. “This vessel can lift more over the side without increasing crane capacity and its bollard pull was increased as we were able to install larger, more powerful [propulsion] nozzles.”

SBu 2711 has anchor handling notation. “The extra stability allows it to handle bigger and heavier anchors,” said Mr Krielaart. “SBu 2711 will be able to compete with larger vessels, so, we expect that this new design will be a real money maker for operators.”

Damen built the first SBu 2711 for its own stock and it completed sea trials at the end of May. This vessel was equipped with optional extras, including towing pins, deck crane and winches.

Damen produces different types of Shoalbuster and gained an order in Q1 2019 for a Shoalbuster with dynamic positioning to DP2 class for offshore and marine construction activities.

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SBu 2711 particulars

Designer: Damen

Length: 27 m

Width: 11 m

Draught: 3 m

Bollard pull: 40 tonnes

Maximum speed: 11 knots

Total power: 2,500 kW

Crane: HS Marine AKC 185 HE4