Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corp (SLSDC) has ordered a new azimuth stern drive (ASD) harbour tug to maintain lock gates and manage ice
It has awarded a contract to Maine, US-based shipbuilder Washburn & Doughty Associates for a new Z-drive harbour tug. This will be built to a Glosten HT-60 design in East Boothbay for delivery in 2021.
SLSDC deputy administrator Craig Middlebrook said there would be multiple tasks on the US side of the Saint Lawrence Seaway for this tug.
“This new vessel will be used to carry out construction and maintenance duties,” he said. “Including routine maintenance of lock gates, maintenance and positioning of aids to navigation, ice management and removal of accumulated ice from lock walls,” said Mr Middlebrook.
Seattle-based naval architects at Glosten optimised the hullform HT-60 for an 18.3-m long ASD tug. It has a broad bow form with a semi-raised forecastle deck and 8.5 m beam.
Its hull was ice-strengthened to ABS Ice Class C0 standards to enable SLSDC to perform its intended work functions in ice.
This hullform is sized for manoeuvring inside lock chambers, winter operations and has enhanced stability for deck crane operations.
This tug’s main ASD propulsion comes from two diesel engines that comply with the US Environmental Protection Agency’s EPA Tier 3 requirements. These deliver a combined 985 kW at 1,800 rpm to turn Z-drive units through carbon fibre shafts.
Its wheelhouse was designed for a single operator with full 360° visibility and winch controls from one operating station.
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