Sanmar, Turkey’s pioneering tugboat building specialist and owner Buksér og Berging AS of Norway, have together received notable press coverage recently by cooperating to produce the world’s first LNG fuelled escort tug, but the recent delivery of Baus to Norway shows that cooperation between the two companies can additionally enhance the onboard amenities and operational performance of conventional diesel fuelled ASD tugs.
Baus is the 16th manifestation of the builder’s popular Ulupinar Class ASD tug designed by Robert Allan Limited of Vancouver, Canada, but with a number of changes to meet the owner’s requirements an stringent Norwegian regulations regarding crew accommodation.
Increasing the beam by a mere 40cm has allowed the inclusion of larger engines (and increasing the static bollard pull to 55 tons and the free-running speed to 12.5 knots) and allows an improved layout to the living quarters.
The new model measures 24.4m x 9.55m beam with a draft aft of 4.75m. Baus is powered by a pair of Caterpillar 3512 main diesels, each developing 1,500kW at 1,600 rev/min. These turn Rolls Royce stern mounted U.S. 205FP Z-drives in conventional ASD configuration with propeller diameters of 2,200mm. The vessel’s electrical needs are supplied by a pair of Caterpillar C4.4 generator sets each of 86kW.
Below main deck the forward accommodation area has been extended aft by two frames to provide two twin berth cabins and separate WC and shower compartments. On main deck there are single cabins for captain and chief engineer and amongst other changes from the slightly less beamy version is an entirely separate galley and mess room arrangement.
Other changes and improvements over earlier versions include a full FiFi1 external fire-fighting system, Karmoy hydraulic winches fore and aft driven via main engine PTO and increased wheelhouse foot print with access both sides. Sanmar also claim that a new design of skeg has benefitted the tug’s maneuverability and given the vessels an escort capacity of more than 40 tons at 8 knots.
The vessel has left Turkey to join Buksér og Berging’s fleet in Norway.
Baus offers enhanced amenities and improved performance
