Tanker and gas carrier escort are enhanced by a new fire-fighting tug in Japan
Naikai Tug Boat Service Co has extended its fleet of harbour and terminal towage tugs operating in Japan with a newbuilding addition.
It has taken delivery of 34.5-m tug, fire-fighting and safety patrol vessel Amata Maru from builder Daizo Corp to increase its fleet capabilities in Japanese ports.
The Imabari-based owner already operates 22 other tugboats, with bollard pulls ranging 49-62 tonnes, and two escort boats in the region of southwest Honshu, north Shikoku and east Kyushu islands.
Naikai Tug Boat Service’s tugs provide escort and berthing duties for LNG carriers and tankers at Japanese import terminals and coastal pollution protection.
Amata Maru has a bollard pull of around 60 tonnes and a total power output of 3,281 kW.
This comes from a pair of Niigata 6L28HX main engines that drive two ZP-31 azimuthing propellers.
This 226-gt tug has a beam of 9.6 m and top speed of 14.8 knots. It is also employed for coast guard duties as a patrol vessel with equipment for chemical fire-fighting.
Naikai Tug Boat Service said Amata Maru has a water, foam and powder-loaded fire extinguisher, oil spill processing equipment and tide observation apparatus. Its wheelhouse is kitted out with radar, sounder, satellite compass, AIS, night vision binoculars, autopilot, network camera and back monitor.
Amata Maru entered service on 21 June. It is part of a multiple tug construction campaign by Naikai Tug Boat Service, which has taken delivery of five tugs with similar capabilities during 2016-2018.
Naikai Tug Boat Services’ tugs are ready to respond to salvage requests and pollution control. The latest maritime incident in Japan occurred on 27 June when general cargo ship Jeikei 3 collided with Japanese minesweeper Notojima southwest of Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
According to Fleetmon, the freighter bow struck the minesweeper starboard stern causing damage to both ships. Jeikei was en route from Kitakyushu to Fukuyama at the time of the accident, the minesweeper was heavily damaged and disabled. It was towed to Onomichi to be docked at a shipyard for repairs.
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