Turkish shipyard group Sanmar has delivered azimuth stern drive (ASD) tugs to owners in the United Arab Emirates and in New Zealand. These are Yenicay series of ASDs based on Vancouver based Robert Allan’s Rascal 1800 design. Safeen was delivered to Abu Dhabi Ports and Arihi to Port Otago Limited in New Zealand.

Both 18.7m tugs have a bollard pull over the stern of 32 tonnes, delivered by two Caterpillar C32 main engines, each producing 970kW at 1,800 rpm. They drive Veth type VZ900 Z-drives for agile omni-directional performance. They also have heavy duty deck machinery including a DMT towing winch. Sanmar said it had to include extras on each of these tugs to adapt them for the operating and regulatory requirements.

Safeen was constructed with an upgraded ventilation package for the intense heat of the Middle East climate. The HVAC system was modified with a split system serving all accommodation spaces. The insulation thicknesses were also increased and fan capacities were enhanced. Sanmar also installed a fire-fighting system.

For Arihi, Sanmar included additional equipment to meet New Zealand rules and regulations regarding the electrical systems. “The Port of Otago was quite specific about the level of protection – insisting upon tyre fenders along the sides, special fendering aft and bulwark top plates in stainless steel both fore and aft as towline protection,” Sanmar said. Duplex seachest strainers were also fitted as weed protection.

Source: Tug Technology & Business July 28, 2016