Crowley Maritime Corp. announces the recent launch the Ocean Wave, the first of four Ocean Class tugboats under construction at Bollinger Shipyards in Amelia, La.
The Ocean Wave and Ocean Wind are classed as Dynamic Positioning 1 (DP1) tugboats and are twin-screw, steel-hulled tugs with an overall length of 146 ft, beam of 46 ft, hull depth of 25 ft and design draft of 21 ft. The second two tugs of the class, Ocean Sky and Ocean Sun, will be classed as DP2 and will be 10 feet longer.
The new tugs will be ideally suited to work with Crowley’s new 455-series heavy lift deck barges, which measure 400 feet by 105 feet and offer increased stability for loads up to 4,200 pounds per square foot. Additionally, the tugs will be outfitted for, and capable of, rig moves, platform and Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit tows, emergency response and firefighting. These Ocean class vessels will also have the capability to support salvage and rescue towing opportunities.
The Ocean Wave is scheduled for delivery in early 2012. The remaining tugs are expected to be completed by the end of 2013.
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World Maritime News Staff, December 5, 2011; Image: Crowley