Eastern Launches Tug for Bisso Offshore
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. has launched the second of two 80’ 5,100 HP Z-Drive tugs for Bisso Offshore, LLC, a division of E.N. Bisso & Son, Inc. The A. Thomas Higgins, currently under construction at Eastern’s Allanton facility, was launched on January 31, 2020.
The RAL RApport 2400 Z-Drive ship-handling tug design was provided by Robert Allan Ltd located in Vancouver, Canada.
The C.D. White, the first vessel of the series, delivered in January of this year.
Long-term customer E.N. Bisso & Son has taken delivery of five previous Z-drive Ship Assist Tugs from Eastern starting in 2007 (Josephine Anne, Beverly B., Elizabeth B., Archie T. Higgins, and C.D. White).
This sixth vessel and second new Robert Allan RApport 2400 design tug has been customized by the designer, builder and owner to provide specific operational features including 65+ ton bollard pull, enhanced maneuverability and escort performance, better fuel economy, crew comfort, safety under the new USCG Sub-M requirements, and reduced emissions meeting the new EPA Tier 4 emissions regulations.
Colin Macpherson, Exec. VP at E.N. Bisso & Son, spoke about their customers onboard reactions and being very impressed with each vessel’s construction quality and ongoing maintenance even as far back as the JOSEPHINE ANNE; which delivered over 13 years ago. “I think it is of particular note, that these two vessels have been built at a period in time when you all have come through that bad storm, Michael, and have been impacted by it. We are very well aware of that. We want to thank each and every one of you for the travails you have endured while remaining dedicated to the project on hand. We really, really appreciate that.”
The first RAL 5,100 HP tug the C.D. White was working ships on the Mississippi River prior to arriving dockside at the E.N. Bisso Fleet in New Orleans, La.
The RApport 2400 Ship Handling Tugs features the following characteristics:
Dimensions (Molded): 80’-0 x 38’-0 x 13’-2”
ESG Designation: Hull 226
Fuel Oil: 28,000 USG
DEF/Urea: (2) x 850 USG
Potable Water: 8,750 USG
Total Horsepower: (2) x 2,549 HP @ 1,800 RPM
Bollard Pull (Predicted): 65 Tons
Main Engines: (2) LA CAT, Caterpillar 3512E Tier 4 EPA/IMO III marine propulsion diesel engines
Main Propulsion: (2) Kongsberg/Rolls Royce US205 P20 Z-Drives
Main Generators: (2) Kennedy Engines Co. John Deere 4045AFM85 Tier 3 EPA certified Marine Auxiliary Diesel Generator Set, each rated at 99kW @ 1,800 RPM
Firefighting: (1) Counterfire ES-125-400, 1,500 gpm at 100 psi, diesel engine driven and 4” Stang remote controlled fire monitor
Forward Hawser Winch: (1) Markey Machinery, Inc. Model DEPCF-42 HS, Single Drum 40HP, Render/Recovery, Line Tension Display, Electric Escort Hawser Winch
Aft Capstan: (1) Markey Machinery, Inc. CEPB-40 5HP Tow Bitt Capstan
Tow Hook: (1) Washington Chain & Supply 90 Ton SWL tow hook, electric-air remote control, manual or remote release.
Regulatory: USCG Sub-M, Certificate of Inspection (COI) (Oceans), Designed and Built to ABS Class standards (but not classed under ABS rules)
Flag: U.S.
E.N. Bisso currently has a tug fleet of 18 vessels featuring a blend of eight modern tractor tugs along with conventional twin-screw tugs working the Mississippi River, in the Port of Gulfport, MS and at Port Canaveral, Fla.