Damen Delivers Pair of Tugs

Damen Shipyards Gorinchem recently delivered a pair of Stan Tug 2608s – Ilha de Sao Luis and O Bravo (pictured) – in fulfilment of its contract with Adminstracao dos Portos, which was signed in June 2003. The vessels will built for operation in the Port of Horta and the Port of Praia da Vitoria. The first vessel was delivered in February 2004 and the second vessel in March 2004. The pair were built from stock hulls with the yard numbers 509805 and 509806. Both vessels will be used for mooring operations, coastal towing and fire fighting operations.

The Damen Stan Tug 2608 has a single chine bilge. The transom corners are well rounded and the vessel has sufficient bow height for severe working conditions. The hull is divided into 4 compartments and is of a very strong construction with side and bottom plating of 10 mm and decks of 8 mm thickness. The sheerstrake has a plate thickness of 20 mm. The aft deck is suitable for a specific weight of two tons per square meter and is designed to carry loads up to approximately 20 tons At the transom corners, a rubber D- fender size 350 x 225 mm is fitted. At the bow, rubber block fender, type 480-300 is used, ensuring a good protection. All around heavy tyre fendering is provided.

The compact steel superstructure is placed on the forecastle deck and is made of 6 mm thick plating. The superstructure has ample space for a separate galley and mess room.

The accommodation is suitable for a crew of nine persons, with the captain’s cabin and the chief engineer’s cabin on the main deck. Below the main deck, two double crew cabins and a triple crew cabin are arranged. Furthermore a large store is fitted. The complete accommodation and the wheelhouse are air-conditioned by means of an air-conditioning system of large capacity.

Two eight-cylinder, resiliently mounted Caterpillar 3508B TA engines power the Damen Stan Tug 2608. The output of each main engine is 820 kW (1100 bhp) at 1600 rpm. Each engine drives a 1900 mm bronze fixed pitch propeller in a NSMB type 37 nozzle for improved astern performances. Each nozzle is provided with a stainless steel inner ring.

Reintjes reverse/reduction gearboxes are fitted, type WAF 562L, with a reduction ratio of 5,05:1. The vessel is provided with a hydraulically driven bow thruster of 620 mm, make Promac FP120-620 of 80 bhp. The bowthruster is controlled from both consoles.

On the fore deck, a towing bitt and anchor winch are fitted. The winch is provided with a vertical warping head (1.5 ton at 15 m/min).

On the aft deck a capstan of four-ton pull at a speed of 20 m/min. is arranged. On the aft towing bitt a towing hook of 45 ton Safe Working Load is fitted. Aft of the aft deck, a flush gobeye is provided, with ample draining and a closing plate.

Furthermore, a deck crane of 6.65 ton m with 1.2 ton winch is provided. Maximum outreach of the crane is 7.85 m. The communication equipment is in conformity with the sailing area of the vessels. A Sailor RT 4822 VHF radiotelephone is fitted with integrated DSC modem/ watch receiver, a Furuno FS-2570-25 SSB, with integrated watch receiver and DSC and two Jotron VHF handheld are foreseen. The Navtex is a Furuno NX-500.

The navigation equipment consists of a Furuno radar, type FR-1505 mk III, a Furuno GP-80 GPS navigator and a Furuno GD-1700 chart plotter with echo sounder. The autopilot is of the make Radio Zeeland, type Seapilot 75. The vessels were classified by Lloyd’s Register of Shipping and obtained the notation.: X 100 A1 Tug Unrestricted service LMC. With this notation, the vessels are capable of deep sea navigation in any area and at any period of the year and were completely built in accordance with the rules and regulations of Lloyd’s Register of Shipping.

Both Damen Stan Tugs 2608 will sail under the Portuguese flag and were built in accordance with the requirements specified by the Portuguese Maritime Authorities.