New Ocean Going Tugs

Crowley has signed a contract with Bollinger Shipyards to build two newly designed ocean going tugboats, with options for additional vessels. These 10,880-horsepower tugs are the beginning of a new-build program at Crowley to further enhance its ocean towing, salvage and offshore support capabilities.

The new tugs will be ideally suited to work with Crowley’s new 455 series heavy lift deck barges, which measure 400 feet by 105 feet and offer increased stability for loads up to 4,200 pounds per square foot. Additionally, the tugs will be outfitted for, and capable of, rig moves, platform and Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit tows, emergency response and firefighting.

Tugs will be 146 feet long, 44 feet wide and have a draft of 21 feet. They are designed to have a minimum bollard pull of 150 metric tons, and range for the vessels will be approximately 12,600 nautical miles at 15 knots free running. The tugs’ features are designed with personnel safety as a priority. The waterfall style winch, shark jaws and retractable pins can all be controlled from the pilothouse, keeping the deck clear of personnel and creating a safer working environment.

The tugs will meet all SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) criteria, and including ABS Fi-Fi 1 firefighting standards. Additionally, the Ocean Class vessels will have the capability to support salvage and rescue towing opportunities, as well as the U.S. Navy’s SUPSALV Contract.