Jensen Completes the Design of Three Additional Ship Assist and Escort Tugs for Moran

Jensen Maritime Consultants, a Crowley Maritime Corp. subsidiary, has completed the design of three additional tugboats for Moran Towing Corp., a New Canaan, CT, tug-and-barge operator on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. The additional boats will bring Moran’s Jensen-designed series of tugboats to five. The tugs are currently under construction at the Washburn & Doughty Shipyard of East Boothbay, Maine.
 
The three new boats are nearly identical in design to the two previously Jensen-designed, Z-Drive tugs, the Capt. Jimmy Moran and the Shiney V. Moran – which were built in 2008 and 2009, respectively – with the exception of upgrades to the internal elements. These upgrades will ensure that the piping and electrical systems are consistent with Moran’s larger fleet of tugs and barges.
 
“Moran asked us to design three more of these tugs because they were so impressed with their maneuverability and compact power,” said Jensen’s Johan Sperling, vice president. “We are pleased to continue our relationship with Moran and to contribute to their ship assist and escort fleet with more of these highly capable vessels.”
 
At 86′ in length and 36′ in breadth, Jensen has designed this series of tugboats to provide a maneuverable and powerful fleet for ship assist and escort work on the East Coast. Equipped with a twin Schottel 1215 Z-Drive propulsion units and MTU-DD 16V4000 engines, the tugs have more than 5,000 horsepower at their disposal. A deep skeg forward is included in the design for escort work, but the skeg will remain open at the aft end to allow for better maneuverability. The skeg also provides for a more stable platform when underway, minimizing rolling due to the seaway. An escort hawser winch will also be installed forward and an H-bitt and hydraulic capstan installed for aft towing and line handling.
 
Additionally, large-machinery removal hatches are provided in the main deck and deck house to allow for easy removal of equipment from the engine room. Berths for six crewmembers will be installed in four comfortable staterooms.
 
Construction of the three new tugs began earlier this year. Delivery is scheduled for the second and third quarters of 2012.
 
Moran is a leading provider of marine towing and transportation services, a 150-year-old corporation that was founded as a small towing company in New York Harbor and grew to preeminence in the industry. The cornerstone of their success has been a long-standing reputation for safe, efficient service, achieved through a combination of first-rate people and outstanding vessels and equipment.
 
Washburn & Doughty Associates, Inc. specializes in the construction of steel commercial vessels. Founded by Bruce Doughty, Bruce Washburn and Carl Pianka, the yard began building fishing boats in 1977. Since then, the yard has continued to prosper by diversifying its capabilities, developing innovative designs and building techniques, and reaching out to new markets. Washburn & Doughty has delivered of a diverse mix of tugboats, commercial passenger vessels, fishing boats, barges, ferries and research vessels.
 
Seattle-based Jensen Maritime Consultants, Inc., is a full-service naval architecture and marine engineering firm owned by Crowley Maritime Corporation. The company offers a diverse range of consulting, design and engineering services developed from 50 years experience working around the world. Jensen is a recognized leader in the design of all types of vessels – particularly workboats, fishing boats and passenger ferries – and has built a favorable reputation on a long history of successful designs and conversions with close attention to engineering basics. The company’s services include detail and conceptual design and engineering, lofting, regulatory and shipyard liaison as well as on-site consulting services and on-location assistance anywhere in the world. Additional information about Jensen may be found on the Internet at www.jensenmaritime.com.
By Professional Mariner Staff