Dakota Creek Delivers New US Navy Yard Tug
The U.S. Navy’s first Yard Tug (YT) 808 class tug recently delivered to Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton Annex. Only 17 days after delivery, YT 808 was in the water assisting USNS Richard Byrd (T-AKE 4) as it moved away from the dock at Naval Magazine Indian Island.
“Narrowing the gap between delivery and providing operational support is a priority for our team,” said Mike Kosar, program manager of Support Ships, Boats, and Craft Program Office within Program Executive Office Ships (PEO Ships). “It’s impressive that almost immediately after delivery YT 808 is at work and contributing to our fleet readiness.”
YT 808 is the lead craft of six total tugs on the Navy’s contract with shipbuilder Dakota Creek Industries, awarded in July 2018. Designed by naval architecture firm Robert Allan, Ltd., YT 808 is the first Navy vessel constructed to meet EPA Tier 4 marine diesel engine emission standards. Each tug will be equipped with CAT 3512E main engines and Schottel z-drives.
The vessels are designed after the Navy’s existing YT 802 Valiant-class tugs and are built to commercial American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) standards. The 90- by 38-foot tugs have a top speed of approximately 12.5 knots and a bollard pull of approximately 43 long tons allowing them to effectively perform towing and ship-handling duties for carriers, surface ships, submarines and barges.
“YT 808 class tugs are replacing legacy single-screw YTB tugs built between 1964 and 1975,” said Kosar. “The new tug provides significantly improved capabilities, safety, and comfort for tug crews executing Port Operations missions in the Northwest Region.”
The tugs are outfitted with a hydraulic hawser winch and staple on the forward deck for towing, and an “H” bitt installed on the aft deck with an adjacent hydraulic capstan for tightening lines. Similar to the previous 802 Class, the new YT 808 Class tugs have an improved articulating hydraulic brow installed aft of the deckhouse to allow personnel transfers to and from alongside ships or submarines. A selective catalytic reduction system uses Diesel Exhaust Fluid to clean the exhaust for compliance with EPA Tier 4 marine diesel emissions requirements. Each vessel also features a marine electronics package from Furuno, installed by Mackay Marine.
As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare craft.
