TUGS AND SALVAGE Although after their delivery voyages
the new ACP Z-Techs will operate in the relatively benign conditions of the canal, their maiden voyages involved a complete transit of the open Pacific from China to Panama under their own power. The craft have a length overall of
27.40m, and a moulded beam of 11.65m. The propulsion plant comprises a pair of Wärtsilä 9L20 engines, each rated 1800kW at 1000rev/min, driving Lips LCT FS250-S/ BN-K Z-Drives with 2400mm diameter FP propellers. The tugs can reach a minimum speed of 12.5knots. Fire-fighting capability is provided by
a single FFS Model SFP 250X350HD fire pump with a capacity of 1136m3
/hour, driven
by an independent diesel engine. The ACP Z-Tech 6000 includes a number
of unique features, specifically suited to the operations in the Panama Canal. These include a wider beam - of 11.65m - in order to ensure a higher clearance angle (minimum 35degs) when working under the f lare of ships. The height of the wheelhouse is also lower than other tugs of this class, again to ensure better tug-ship clearance. Two independent winches are located
forward, which ref lects the operational process within the canal, where tugs put up
two lines to the stern of an attended ship (thus creating a short bridle) when running through the various restricted areas of the canal. The skeg of the tug then acts as an extended rudder to the attended ship, providing much enhanced manoeuvrability at slow speeds. A ‘day boat’ accommodation arrangement
has been installed, which is again suited to the nature of the canal operations. A feature of this configuration is a complete ‘breezeway’ across the deckhouse, isolating the exhaust casing/engineroom entry from the crew accommodation spaces. This provides much better noise control in the area.
Tug conference focuses on best design S
OUTHAMPTON will be the focus of the tug world for two days on June 11-12
when international delegates will gather in the famous port city for Tugnology ’07. This event will fill this year’s gap between the popular biennial ITS (International Tug and Salvage) Conventions. Last year’s ITS Convention in Rotterdam drew
a record number of delegates and exhibitors, and the organisers are aiming to exceed these figures in Singapore, in May 2008, when the next event is held. Meanwhile, the forthcoming technical
conference on the design, construction and economics of tugs will coincide with
the equally popular Seawork International Exhibition, which takes place in Southampton the same week. The organisers of the event noted that tugs
and salvage operations are very much in the news, making the timing of this ‘no frills’ conference particularly suitable. MSC Napoli, a casualty that has received worldwide media coverage, would not have been beached successfully without the prompt and efficient assistance of tugs. The organisers also added that ‘apart from
helping ships in trouble, tugs are in increasing demand to tow ever larger special project cargoes, often from one side of the globe to the
other. The design, powering, and equipping of tugs has never been so important as now’. These factors and other technical aspects
will be debated in Southampton. Specialist speakers from eight countries will take part, the keynote speaker being Robert Allan, from Vancouver, the noted naval architect and tug designer. There will be a wrap-up panel discussion, appropriately headed, ‘Getting the best tug for the job from everyone’s point of view’. The venue for Tugnology ’07 is the De
Vere Grand Harbour Hotel. For further information or to register, e-mail: tugnology@
tugandsalvage.com
26
SHIP & BOAT INTERNATIONAL MAY/JUNE 2007
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