Jensen Maritime Designs New Tier IV Tractor Tugs for Foss

Jensen Maritime, Crowley Maritime Corp.’s Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering company, has provided the detailed design for an initial four, with an option for six additional, Tier IV tractor tugboats being built by Nichols Brother Boat Builders for Foss Maritime.

The 90-short ton bollard pull tugs are based on Jensen’s popular Valor tugboat design, of which 9 have been successfully built and deployed to date and an additional five remain under design/construction. Once delivered, the Foss tugs will be deployed along the U.S. West Coast.

These 100-foot by 40-foot tugs are multi-functional to include ship assist and escort capabilities as well as towing. Additionally, the tugs are Tier IV, meaning they utilize high-efficiency catalytic after-treatment technology to reduce emissions. Powered by twin Z-drive propulsion units, the tugs will be suitable for offshore service, ship assist, escort, maneuvering and docking. The tugs feature a large fuel capacity for long trips, comfortable crew accommodations and a spacious engine room along with an anchor windlass and chain locker and a powerful winch. Additionally, Jensen designed the tugs with some of the most advanced safety features in the industry, including a 900 GPM fire pump and monitor, which will be powered from an on-board generator. The tugs will be Subchapter M compliant.
 
“Jensen continues to be a leading designer of multi-functional Tier IV tugboats for the American shipbuilding industry,” said Bryan Nichols, director, business development, Jensen. “In addition to this particular sized tug, we have multiple build-ready designs available, ranging in size from 74 feet up to 110 feet for anyone looking to upgrade or expand their fleet for a variety of nearshore or offshore capabilities.”