New ATB Tug Built for Kirby

Posted by Michelle Howard December 7, 2015

M/V Nancy Peterkin (Photo: Nichols Boats)
M/V Nancy Peterkin (Photo: Nichols Boats)

Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (Nichols Boats), located in Freeland, Wash., recently completed the M/V Nancy Peterkin, a 136’ x 44’ x 23’, 10,000 HP ATB Tug for Kirby Offshore Marine (Kirby), located in Houston, Texas.

The Nancy Peterkin, built for Kirby Offshore Marine, was designed by Guarino & Cox using a round bridge hull form for optimum sea keeping and propulsive efficiency, the builder said. She is to couple into a 185,000 barrel barge built at Gunderson Marine in Portland, Oregon. This vessel will handle barges in full-ocean service. The coupling system for the tug barge unit is the Intercon Series 50 system manufactured by the Intercontinental Engineering Manufacturing Corporation.

The Nancy Peterkin ATB tug is fully ABS classed, SOLAS compliant with UWild, ACCU and CPS notation. It has a fully automated engine room with a clean layout and LED lighting throughout and is fully setup for zero discharge. The specific attention to detail in the layout, eliminating unnecessary steps and other hazards, has resulted in a better crew experience. The vessel also has Tier 3 engines and generators satisfying EPA regulations for this class of vessel.

Principal Dimensions
Length Overall 136’- 0”
Length on design WL 135’-3 ½”
Beam, molded 44’-0”
Depth, amidships, molded 23’-0”
Draft, design 19’-0”
Tank Capacities (approx. @ 100%)
Fuel Oil Capacity 150,000 US gallons
Potable Water Capacity 20,000 US gallons
Ballast Capacity 150,000 US gallons
Accommodations
Crew Up to 12 staterooms
Flag of Registry US
Classification/Certification
ABS + A1 Full Ocean Towing Service +AMS, ACCU, UWILD, CPS

According to Pete Sinclair, Chief Naval Architect at Nichols Boats, “The Nancy Peterkin is a modern, complex and technologically dense ATB tug designed and built to meet ABS class and SOLAS regulations. Beyond the basic class notations she is also approved as ACCU and CPS (unmanned automated machinery space and ballast tanks coating systems respectively). Meeting these demanding regulations, and the high construction standard expected by the customer, have produced a vessel that is going to serve Kirby well for many years.

The project was a true team effort with Kirby providing great support throughout. NBBB extends thanks to everyone involved, including Guarino & Cox, BMT Nigel Gee, Nautican, Fusion Marine, Marine Interior Systems and all the other suppliers as well as ABS for their diligence and support”.

This vessel was launched using Nichols new launch system, allowing for the successful launch of vessels up to 3,000 tons. Gavin Higgins, CEO at Nichols Boats, says, “The new launching system has greatly increased the size and type of vessels Nichols Boats can now build and launch. In addition to the previous comments, we greatly appreciate the team effort that was made by all the vendors on this project, the Nichols personnel and the Kirby Team. The net result is the successful launch and delivery of the M/V Nancy Peterkin, an outstanding vessel”.

During acceptance trials, the M/V Nancy Peterkin exceeded the minimum level of pulling power, logging over 165 tons in the Bollard Pull test, as noted on its Bollard Pull certificate. Additionally, she also had a free running speed in excess of 16 knots.

The Kirby sistership, the M/V Tina Pyne, also a 10,000 HP ATB tug, is currently under construction at Nichols Boats in Freeland, and is scheduled to launch in the spring of 2016.