W&D Signs Contract with Wilmington Tug

Washburn & Doughty Associates, Inc. of East Boothbay, Maine signed a contract to build a 4,200 hp Z-Drive Tug for Wilmington Tug of Wilmington, Delaware. Designed by Robert Allan Ltd., this ASD 25/55 Class Tug will measure 80 x32-ft. and admeasure less than 200 gt. It will be used primarily for ship docking; however, an extended keel will allow for operation as an escort tug in the indirect mode. Wilmington Tug operates five tugs and in 1977 became the first operator in North America to operate a Z Drive Tug. Wilmington Tug's newest vessel will be the ninth Z Drive Tug built by Washburn & Doughty since the Fort Bragg was constructed for Cape Fear Towing in 1998. Two Detroit Diesel model 12V4000 main engines rated at 2,100 hp at 1,800 rpm will power the vessel. The engines will drive modular Rolls Royce Ulstein 1350H Z-Drives that will be removable through soft patches in the aft deck. The main engines will be keel cooled with Fernstrum gridcoolers. The vessel will have a 20,000-gallon fuel oil capacity, a 250-gallon lube oil capacity, and a 1,200-gallon fresh water capacity. On the foredeck, the tug will feature a Timberland model A180-1-60EVC hawser winch. Aft there will be two Nabrico model 60-11 barge winches and a Burrard vertical capstan. The vessel's pilothouse boasts full-length windows (three of which are heated), which will provide excellent visibility both high and low. Fendering will consist of soft loop on the bow and stern; two courses of square loop with 33"-in. aircraft tires mounted between the courses on the sides; and a 12-in. square fender on the stem below the bow pods. A Microphor M-40 sewage treatment plant will be installed in the engine room. Delivery is scheduled for the 4th quarter, 2001.