Vane takes delivery of fourth tug in series

Vanedelaware2

The following is the text of a news release from Vane Brothers:

(BALTIMORE) — Vane Brothers has taken delivery of Delaware, the fourth of eight vessels in Vane's Elizabeth Anne class of 4,200-hp tugboats contracted at St. Johns Ship Building, Palatka, Fla. Next up is Philadelphia, scheduled for delivery in February. Three remaining tugboats in the class expected to arrive in intervals before year's end.

"Midway through our contract with St. Johns Ship Building, we are thrilled with the high quality of the four Elizabeth Anne-class tugboats that are now hard-working members of the Vane fleet," said Vane Brothers President C. Duff Hughes. "The Delaware and her three sister tugs bring heightened performance, crew comfort and safety to the ocean-­‐service towing sector. We look forward to more of the same from the four remaining tugboats being delivered by St. Johns later this year."

Designed by Frank Basile of Entech Designs LLC, Delaware is a steel-­hulled, model bow tug measuring 100 feet long with a 34-foot beam and 13-­foot draft. it is powered by two Caterpillar 3516 Tier 3 ("A" rated) engines, each generating 2,100 horsepower at 1,600 rpm. Two John Deere PowerTech 4045 99-kW generators deliver service power to the boat; a third John Deere 4045 drives the Intercontinental DD200 towing winch.

Along with ample headroom and sound-­deadening material, the Elizabeth Anne-class tugs feature bigger and more robust firefighting systems, an Unlimited Control alarm system, and the latest Simrad Electronics package installed by Rhodes Electronics. Accommodations are available for up to seven crewmembers.

Primarily engaged in towing petroleum barges in the North Atlantic coastwise trade, Delaware is one of two dozen vessels that make up the company's Philadelphia-­based Echo Fleet. The three previous Elizabeth Anne-class tugboats, all of which were delivered in 2016, are among 20 vessels assigned to Vane's Delta Fleet, also working out of Philadelphia.

Vane has approximately 50 tugboats and 80 barges operating out of seven locations along the East Coast.

By Professional Mariner Staff