No. 15/2011 - Towingline.com

12 TH VOLUME, NO. 15 DATED 17 APRIL 2011 

BUYING, SALES, NEW BUILDING, RENAMING AND OTHER TUGS TOWING & OFFSHORE INDUSTRY NEWS 

MAX CHRISTENED 

TUGS & TOWING NEWS 

The ASD tug MAX from H. 

Schramm & Sohn 

Schleppschifffahrt (a 

company of SCHRAMM 

group) was christened April 

5 th in Brunsbüttel (Germany). 

This tug has a bollard pull of 

45 tons and general 

dimensions of 24,39 m x9,15 

m x 4,04 m. Due to the fact 

that the sister tug CORVIN 

has entered a 5 month 

bareboat charter with buying 

obligation at English waters 

the 2010 at Turkey SANMAR 

shipyard built tug MAX 

awoke from her sleeping beauty after 9 month. (Source: H.Schramm/press release) 

SD RESOURCEFUL - GREENOCK 

The 2010 built U.K. registered 

with call sign 2CHL4 tug SD 

Resourceful (Imo 9533799) was 

spotted at Greenock. She is one 

of the new tugs owned by SD 

Marine Services and 

operated/managed by Serco Ltd. 

to support the Naval activity in 

and around the River Clyde. 

And a part of the huge Damen 

fleet renewal programme for 

the MOD. The tug has a grt of 

271 tons and is Lloyd‟s Register 

of Shipping classed (Photo: 

Tommy Bryceland) 

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Advertisement 

THREE 3,200BHP SOUTHEAST ASIAN TUGS SOLD TO LATIN AMERICA 

Marcon International of Coupeville, 

Washington is pleased to announce 

the sale of three twin screw, oceangoing 

tugs from Malaysian based, 

International Bulk Trade Pte. Ltd., to 

a private Central American buyer. 

The Singapore-registered sister-tugs 

sold were the 2010 built "Surya 

Ratna 18"; the 2009 built "Surya 

Ratna 15" and the 2009 built "Surya 

Ratna 16". All three tugs were built 

by Hung Seng Shipbuilding Sdn. 

Bhd. in Sibu, Malaysia, and are 

powered by twin Cummins 

KTA50M2 main engines producing a total of 3,200BHP at 1,800RPM. These drive fixed pitch props 

in kort nozzles developing a bollard pull of between 40 and 45 tonnes and free running speed is 

12kn. The tugs are classed with Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NKK). Measuring 32.1m length-overall x 

9.0m beam x 4.2 depth and with a design draft of 3.5m, the tugs come equipped with a 100 ton 

brake, 40 ton line-pull single drum towing winch with a capacity of 650m 44mm wire. Also located 

on the aft deck is a 40 tonne SWL quick release tow hook. Auxiliary power is provided by two 

78kW Cummins 6BT5.9-D(M) Marinized and one 50kW Yanmar 4TNE 84TG1A generators. All 

three generators can be synchronized to handle seamless and uninterrupted load transfer. Each tug 

can carry a complement of 15 persons in air conditioned accommodations. Marcon acted as sole 

broker the transaction. Marcon International Inc. has brokered the nine sales to-date in 2011 

including two smaller tugs. Several additional sales are pending and expected to close within the 

next 30 days. Looking back over the past 25 years, we have averaged about 42 sales/charters per 

year. Since our first sale in 1983, Marcon has brokered a total of 1,220 vessels and barges sold or 

chartered. (Source: Bob Beegle - Marcon International, Inc.) 

COASTAL SCOOPS TUG DEAL 

Coastal Contracts has landed its second major sales deal of the year. The company has sold eleven 

tugs to a Central America-based buyer for MYR 61m ($20m). The sale was made through 

subsidiaries Thaumas Marine and Pleasant Engineering. The news comes just two months after 

Coastal announced a MYR268m order for twelve ships including seven offshore support vessels 

(OSV), three tugs and two oil barges. The company now has a newbuilding order book worth 

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MYR665m awaiting delivery up to 2012. Ng Chin Heng, Coastal‟s executive chairman, said he was 

encouraged by the sales so far this year, adding that rising commodity prices would boost demand 

for tugs and barges to ferry dry and liquid bulk commodities. He also said Coastal‟s OSV business 

would benefit from new rig orders and plans by Malaysian state-owned oil and gas producer, 

Petronas to spend over MYR250bn in deepwater projects over the next five years. As previously 

reported in Tradewinds, Coastal has admitted being in early stage talks over a possible merger or 

takeover of the company. (Source: TradeWinds) 

CLAIRE H ON TRIALS 

Advertisement 

The new building Damen 

Hardinxveld Shipyards yard 

number 571596 type MultiCat 

2409 Claire H (Imo 9562984) 

commenced technical trials 

last week in the Europoort; 

Rotterdam. The hull of the tug 

arrived 17 May 2009 in tow of 

the tug Zeus on the Damen 

Hardinxveld Shipyard. The 

MultiCat has a length of 23.33 

mtrs. a beam of 9.00 mtrs. a 

depth of 3.20 mtrs. She has a 

total engine output of 1264 

bkW, has a speed of 10 knots 

and a bollard pull of 22.2 tons. 

The vessel is owned by H and S Marine Ltd. and registered U.K. with call sign 2EEF2. She has a grt 

of 154 tons and a dwt of 250 tons. (photo: Michel Kodde) 

Your feedback is important to me so please drop me an email if you have any 

photos or articles that may be of interest to the Tugs Towing & Offshore 

interested people at sea and ashore. 

Send your press releases, news, articles and/or pictures to 

jvds@towingline.com 

3/24


RT LEADER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ROTTERDAM 

The new building tug RT Leader 

(Imo 9489962) under command of 

Captain Jelle Kramer and his 

delivery crew from RedWise arrived 

last week in her homeport 

Rotterdam. The tug departed end of 

January from Niiagata and sailed via 

Singapore and Valleta; Malta to 

Rotterdam over a distance of 11,650 

miles. The tug is registered under 

Malta flag with call sign 9HA2235. 

She is owned by RT Leader Ltd. – 

Rotterdam; Netherlands and managed by Kotug International BV – Rotterdam: Netherlands. The 

RT Leader is a RT80-32 design tug built on the Niigata Shipyard and Repair Inc. – Japan under 

number 39. She has three Niiagata engines type 6L28HX each 1654 kW. Her 100%MCr bollard 

pull is 80 tons. (Photo: Jan Oosterboer) 

ENSELENI FIFI TUG 

The 2000 built South African tug 

with call sign ZR6168 “Enseleni” 

(Imo 9206750) was spotted in Cape 

Town breakwater last week testing 

her FiFi installation. The tug is 

owned and managed by the South 

Africa National Ports – 

Johannesburg; South Africa. She 

has a grt of 378 tons and a dwt of 

293 tons. (Photo: Glenn Kasner) 

OT&BE RELEASES DETAILS OF AT/B ORDERED BY KIRBY AT SIGNAL 

INTERNATIONAL 

The AT/B consists of a 20,000 DWT ocean bulk barge with a 6,000 BHP AT/B ocean tug. The barge 

will measure 480 ft x 90 ft x 36 ft and will be outfitted with an Articouple connection system and 

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designed to operate in both shallow and deep draft loading conditions. The shape utilized for the 

barge hull is a proven design based on a parent designed by Corning Townsend, of CT Marine, 

Edgecomb, ME. "This shape has proven to be an excellent balance between low resistance and 

buildability," according to Robert P. Hill, President of OT&BE. “It also allowed us to obtain the 

greatest possible cubic for the length, with low resistance and powering requirements." In addition, 

the barge has the stern of OT&BE‟s successful “COSTWISE” class AT/B barges, designed to reduce 

resistance and enhance maneuvering. “This stern design is the result of extensive model testing and 

CFD studies," says Mr. Hill.. The 6,000 HP tugboat will be a variant of the highly successful 

OT&BE “ATLANTIC III” class tugs. Three of the vessels have been built previously at 6000 HP 

and two more, this time at 8000 HP, are under construction presently at VT Halter for an east 

coast operator. This new Kirby design shares with the 8000 HP version of the design, the 

employment of the Nautican high performance nozzle and triple rudder arrangement. Bob Hill 

notes that “We currently have five tugs of our design working with the high performance nozzles 

and triple rudders, and the boats have excellent maneuvering characteristics both light tug and 

behind their barges, and speed is enhanced.” . The Kirby tugs will be powered by a pair of EMD 

12-710 main engines, driving Reintjes reverse/reduction gears. The principal dimensions of the tug 

are 125 ft x 42 ft x 22 ft. It will built and classed to ABS A1 Ocean Towing Service standards. The 

AT/B will transport dry-bulk commodities in United States coastwise trade. The barge fabrication 

work will commence in the second quarter of 2011 at Signal‟s state-of-the-art continuous flow 

manufacturing facility in Orange, Texas, which has 450,000 sq. ft. of covered fabrication area. The 

first AT/B will complete in 14 months. The option AT/B can be built in less than 12 months. This 

facility recently completed two of the world‟s largest floating power generation barges within a 

180-day production schedule. (Source: MarineLog) 

Advertisement 

RT CHAMPION ARRIVED IN ROTTERDAM 

5/24 

The new building tug RT Champion 

(Imo 9489950) under command of 

Captain Ronald Biersteker and his 

delivery crew from RedWise arrived a 

half day after her sister RT Leader (see 

above) last week in her homeport 

Rotterdam. This tug also departed end 

of January from Niiagata and sailed via 

Singapore and Valleta; Malta to 

Rotterdam over a distance of 11,650 

miles. The tug is registered under Malta 

flag with call sign 9HA2234. She is


owned by RT Champion Ltd. – Rotterdam; Netherlands and managed by Kotug International BV – 

Rotterdam: Netherlands. The RT Champion is a RT80-32 design tug built on the Niigata Shipyard 

and Repair Inc. – Japan under number 39. She has three Niiagata engines type 6L28HX each 1654 

kW. Her 100%MCr bollard pull is 80 tons. (Photo: Ruud Zegwaard) 

SPANISH MIST TO THE MAGDELAN ISLANDS 

Tugfax reported in October that 

Spanish Mist was for sale due to 

the downturn in gypsum 

shipments from Hantsport. It was 

later reported that the tug was 

not for sale. However, it has 

apparently been sold. According 

to Transport Canada's web site, 

the owner is Les Remorquages 

I.M. Inc., l'Etang du Nord, QC. 

Established for some years as 

owners of smaller tugs, the 

owners are apparently in need of a larger tug to berth ships loading salt in the Magdalen Islands. 

For several years they have chartered tugs from McKeil for winter operations, to keep the channel 

open early and late in the season and to assist in berthing. They operate the tugs Manuels River (ex 

Rupert River)(1961.720 bhp) and Poinciana (1957 .550 bhp). Mining and shipment of gypsum 

through Hantsport has ceased, due to the reduced demand from the US construction market. The 

strength of the Canadian dollar against the US (as of today $1 Canadian would buy you $1.04 US) is 

no doubt a factor as well. As previously reported, if a tug is needed for Hantsport, a tug from Saint 

John can accompany the ship up the Bay of Fundy to the port. However with no gypsum moving, 

there will unlikely be any shipping in Hantsport for the foreseeable future. (Source: Tugfax; Photo 

Mac Mackay) 

Advertisement 

MINISTRY KEEN TO HAVE EMERGENCY TOWING VESSELS BEFORE 

MONSOON 

The Shipping Ministry plans to have two-to-three emergency towing vessels (ETV) to improve the 

response time in case of marine disasters such as oil spills. These vessels could become available 

before June. An emergency tow vessel (ETV) is a multi-purpose vessel used to tow disabled vessels 

on high seas to prevent damage to environment and people. “We propose to have the ETVs at our 

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disposal before the monsoon sets 

in,” Mr K Mohandas, Secretary, 

Shipping Ministry, told Business 

Line. “We propose to make them 

available by entering into a wet 

lease kind of an agreement with 

service providers,” Mr Mohandas 

said. This will ensure that the vessel 

and the crew to man the vessel will 

be available on demand. The 

Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) 

is likely to be asked to select the 

firm through a bidding process for the Directorate General, Shipping. “Operating ETVs require 

skilled manpower. We cannot procure vessels and start training people when the disaster strikes. 

So, we could start by having two-three ETVs, which can also be scaled up in the future based on 

requirement,” Mr S.B. Agnihotri, DG Shipping, told Business Line. PROPOSALS The need to have 

ETVs has been flagged earlier by Shipping Ministry, Planning Commission and Indian Coast 

Guard. The Ministry, in its Maritime Agenda 2010-20, has proposed to have a disaster prevention 

plan on the model of other maritime countries. “Minimally, this would require the availability of at 

least two 100-tonne bollard pull tugs on each coast; the basic equipment for tow and decanting of 

bunker oil from tanks of ships in distress; and a team of salvagers who will be available at short 

notice,” the Ministry stated in its agenda. It proposed to purchase the ETVs, basic equipment; and 

inviting salvage companies to set up shop in India. The fund requirement for the procurement and 

operation of the ETVs was estimated to be Rs 250 crore, it added. The XI Five Year Plan Working 

Group on Shipping had stated that there is an urgent need to have at least four ETVs of about 80tonne 

bollard pull deployed on both the coasts. The Indian Coast Guard had also asked DG 

Shipping to take steps for ETVs in its meeting on national oil spill disaster recovery plan (2009). 

Usually, it is the responsibility of the ship owners to fund such salvage activities through insurance 

firms. But, there have been cases when the owners have not taken such responsibility. In 

September 2009, when a Mongolian vessel Black Rose, carrying iron ore sank near Paradip Port; 

the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) had prevented spilling of 975-tonne fuel. Through an international 

tender, the PPT entrusted the job of removing the fuel from the sunken ship, to US-based Resolve 

Marine Group, at a cost of Rs 17.55 crore. (Source & Photo: The Hindu Business Line) 

RESOLVE MARINE GROUP ADDS SUHAILI OCEAN TUG TO FLEET 

Resolve Marine Group, a leading 

marine salvage and emergency 

response company with worldwide 

operations, has acquired the Tug 

Resolve Suhaili, 102 TBP. Previously 

owned by ITC, the ocean towage and 

salvage tug is presently located in 

Freeport, Bahamas. Damian Allan, 

Resolve Director of Business 

Development announced the acquisition, stating “Resolve Suhaili is a great asset for our fleet 

worldwide. She will complement and support our core activities in the areas of Salvage, Wreck 

Removal and Emergency Towage.” As an OPA90 Salvage & Marine Firefighting primary resource 

7/24


provider, Resolve maintains Salvage and Emergency Response vessels and equipment in 16 

operations bases in the U.S., as well as in Singapore, the U.K., Mumbai and Shanghai. (Source: 

MarineLink; Photo courtesy Resolve Marine Group) 

NORTHERN PEREGRINE COMMENCED TRIALS 

Advertisement 

8/24 

The new building Euro Carrier 2611 Northern 

Peregrine (Imo 9553933) commenced 

technical trials last week in the Rotterdam 

Europoort. The workboat is built on the 

Neptune Shipyard – Aalst; Netherlands. The 

Euro Carrier has a length of 26.48 mtrs a beam 

of 11.00 mtrs and a depth of 3.20 mtrs. Her 

engine output is 970 bkW (1800 bhp), speed 

range between 8-11 knots and a bollard pull 

of 28 tons. The Northern Peregrine is built for 

a Scottish owner with homeport Lerwick. 

(Photo: Marijn van Hoorn) 

TWO NEW BUILDING SISTER UNDERWAY FROM CHINA TO PERU 

The two new building tugs Pakatnama (Imo 

9599561) and Vichama (Imo 9599559) are 

underway with a RedWise delivery crew 

from China to Peru. The ASD tug are built 

on the ysrd in Zhenjiang (China). The 

delivery trip on the Pacific Ocean to their 

home port Callao take approximately two 

months over a distance of 9,800 miles. The 

tugs are registered St.Vincent & Grenadines 

with call sign J8B4500 and J8B4499 

respectively. They are owned and managed 

by Tramarsa – Callao; Peru. Both tugs have a 

grt of 272 tons. (Source: RedWise; Photo: Ake van der Vinne)


HERCULES DOCKED FOR INSPECTION 

ANTWERP HOSTS TUGNOLOGY ‘11 NEXT MONTH 

9/24 

The 2011 built Washburn & Doughty 

in East Boothbay under number 99 

United States of America tug 

Hercules was seen on Dry Dock at 

Bludworth Marine Shipyard in 

Orange Texas. The vessel owned by 

Suderman & Young Towing was 

docked for inspection by Moran. 

(Source & Photo: Richard Bludworth) 

Following the great success of the two previous Tugnology conferences, delegates are eagerly 

awaiting Tugnology „11, to be held in the Antwerp Hilton on 17 and 18 May. Organised by the ABR 

Company Ltd as a „no frills‟ conference devoted exclusively to the towage industry, this third 

conference has all the hallmarks of another highly successful event. All indications are that the 

number of delegates attending will exceed the figure of 274 representatives from 29 countries that 

attended Tugnology „09 in Amsterdam. Tugnology was first introduced in 2007 as an interim event 

to fill the gap between the popular biennial ITS (International Tug and Salvage) Conventions. The 

aim of the conference is to discuss a wide range of issues that affect tug owners, designers and 

equipment suppliers and get to be very heart of subjects that make the towage industry tick. The 

conference will be officially opened by a representative from the Port of Antwerp and the inaugural 

paper will be presented by a representative from the European Tugowners Association. Seventeen 

papers will be presented over the two day event, chaired by Mike Allen, the regular ITS chairman, 

and Dawn Gorman, editor of International Tug & Salvage magazine. The carefully chosen agenda 

addresses several subjects that are currently taxing the minds of those involved in operating, 

designing, constructing or supplying high tech equipment for the modern tug fleet. Major 

preoccupations for tug owners at present are the matters of emission control and fuel consumption. 

A paper entitled „The Business Case for Going Green‟ will be presented by Susan Hayman of Foss 

and another, „Saving Fuel in Tug Operations: Monitoring Consumption to determine Best Practice‟ 

by Robin Shaw and Richard Young, will both address that subject. Other papers include a 

description of Germany‟s new and innovative Emergency Towing Vessel, a paper on hydrodynamic 

forces in ship-tug interaction, and another on piracy and counter-measures, giving an indication of 

the diverse range of subjects included. An area will be set aside for a „table-top‟ exhibition where 

manufacturers, designers and tug builders can display their wares and which provides a congenial 

meeting place for delegates during breaks in the proceedings. Space in that exhibition area is already 

sold out. A dinner sponsored by Samson Ropes will be held on the evening of 17 May, with predinner 

cocktails sponsored by Damen. The organisers have also organised a harbour tour and lunch, 

sponsored by the Port of Antwerp and giving a unique opportunity to see the work of the port and 

the world‟s largest locks. The organisers must have bookings for the latter in advance. For further 

information, see the Tugnology section of www.tugandsalvage.com (Maritime Journal by Jack 

Gaston)


TOWING NEWS FROM MALTA 

By Capt. Lawrence Dalli - www.maltashipphotos.com 

NAOMI E TOWING THE FLAT TOP BARGE STEMAT 79 OFFSHORE MALTA 

UNDERWAY TO ALGECIRAS 

The 1996 built Dutch flag with call sign 

PGFM and Stemat Marine Services BV - 

Rotterdam owned and managed type Euro 

Carrier 2495 Naomi E (Imo 9147605) is seen 

towing the flat top barge Stemat 79 offshore 

Malta underway to Algeciras after she left 

Valletta earlier in the morning on Friday 8th 

April 2011. The Naomi E is built on the 

Neptune Shipyards – Aalst; Netherlands. She 

has a length 0f 23.00 mtrs a beam of 9.50 

mtrs and a draft of 2.85 mtrs has a grt of 154 

tons and is Bureau Veritas classed. (Photo: Capt. Lawrence Dalli - www.maltashipphotos.com) 

EMRE OMUR TOWING DISABLED SHIP KOCA REIS 

Seen offshore Malta is the 1992 built 

Turkish flag and owned general cargo 

ship Koca Reis after she suffered a fire 

onboard off Annaba, Algeria on 2nd 

March 2011 while underway to 

Ravenna, Italy from Casablanca, 

Morocco towed by the 1977 built 

offshore tug/supply ship Emre Omur 

(Imo 7508879). The AHTS vessel is 

registered Turkish flag with call sign 

TCYA7. Experts recognize the AHTS as 

an oldie of the Smit-Lloyd fleet. The 

Tug is indeed the Smit-Lloyd 118 (2) 

former Biehl Trader built on the Campbell Industries Inc. Shipyard at San Diego under number 

116 for The First National Bank of Chicago and managed by Biehl Offshore Inc. - Houston. In 

1991 she was taken over by Smit-Lloyd – Rotterdam. In 1998 sold to Boluda International – 

Valencia and renamed Golfo de Siam. In 2010 sold to Solar Gemi Kurtarma Hizmetleri A.. – 

Istanbul and renamed Emre Omur. (Photo: Capt. Lawrence Dalli - 

www.maltashipphotos.com) 

HYPSAS TOWING THE 2005 BUILT DISABLED CHEMICAL/OIL PRODUCTS 

TANKER FT ODIN 

The 1981 built Italian flag with call sign IRPZ and tugboat Hypsas (Imo 7824558), owned and 

managed by Veneziana di Navigazione SpA, is seen towing the 2005 built disabled chemical/oil 

10/24


Advertisement 

KEROB EXPRESS OFFSHORE SICILY, ITALY 

The 1974 built Italian flag 

with call sign IWEH offshore 

tug/supply ship KEROB 

EXPRESS (Imo 7368578) is 

seen offshore Sicily, Italy with 

Vega-A Oilfield Platform on 

Thursday 7th April 2011. The 

Kerob Express has a grt of 943 

ton and a dwt of 1474 ton and 

is Registro Italiano Navale 

classed. She is owned by 

Vroon Offshore Italia SrL. – 

Genoa and managed by Vroon 

Offshore Services SrL – Genoa. 

(Photo: Capt. Lawrence Dalli 

- 

www.maltashipphotos.com) 

11/24 

products tanker FT Odin from 

Brindisi, Italy to Grand Harbour, 

Malta on Tuesday 12th April, 2011 

for repairs at Cassar Ship Repair Yard 

of which Malta Maritime Services 

(maltamaritimeservices@gmail.com) 

are their agents. The Hypsas has a grt 

of 181 tons and is Registro Italiano 

Navale classed. (Photo: Capt. 

Lawrence Dalli - 

www.maltashipphotos.com)


ACCIDENTS – SALVAGE NEWS 

ONE CREWMAN MISSING AFTER TUGBOAT CAPSIZES OFF CALIFORNIA 

(ALAMEDA, Calif.) -- The Coast Guard received updated information on the Ocean Beach Rescue 

on April, 9, 2011. The Coast Guard responded to a mayday call from Tug Boat Richardson's Bay, a 

43-foot steel tug at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 9, 2011. A crew from Smallboat Station Golden Gate 

responded and rescued a 53-year-old man from the water. The man was transported to Marin 

General Hospital where he was treated for mild hypothermia and shock. A 52-year-old man from 

San Anselmo, Calif. is still missing. He was reported to be wearing a life jacket at the time he 

entered the water. After making a mayday call the two men exited the tug boat. One entered the 

water with a life ring, the other with the tug's inflatable boat. The man with the life ring was 

located and rescued by the crew from Station Golden Gate. The rescued man was held above water 

by a Good Samaritan kitesurfer until the smallboat crew arrived on scene. The inflatable boat and 

life jacket washed up on shore later in the afternoon. The Coast Guard conducted a search for the 

missing man with a smallboat crew from Station Golden Gate, a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter 

aircrew from Air Station San Francisco and the Coast Guard Cutter Tern, an 87-foot patrol boat. 

The search went for 8.5 hours and covered 44-square miles. The search ran from the surf line to off 

shore in the vicinity of Lawton and The Great Highway. The search ended at 12:03 a.m. Sunday 

morning. The Tug Boat Richardson's Bay was on it's way from Richardson Bay to Pacifica to 

retrieve a lost skiff. (Source: USCG) 

MAMMOET PONTOON COLLAPSE 

A pontoon of Mammoet has been 

collapse during a load out of a 330 

tons transformer last Sunday in the 

Oude Rijn River near Hazerswoude- 

Rijndijk; The Netherlands. The 

transformer came from Bleiswijk and 

was headed for Smit Transformers in 

Nijmegen. In Hazerswoude Rijndijk 

the colossus was rolled on the 

pontoon to be transported over 

water. Here, however, something 

went wrong, which folded the 

pontoon. Two employees fell 

overboard, but were not injured. The pontoon was badly damaged. The transformer was at that 

time above the water, but remained standing. It is not known when the transformer is transported 

further. (Source: Schuttevaer) 

OFFSHORE PLATFORM SINKS IN GULF OF MEXICO 

An offshore platform used to house oil workers partially sank in the Gulf of Mexico, but all 713 

people aboard were evacuated safely, Mexican state-owned oil giant Pemex said. The Jupiter 

platform, which belongs to contractor Cotemar, sank Tuesday morning due to problems with a 

valve, Pemex said in a statement. The platform's 75 crewmen stayed aboard to deal with the 

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emergency. The pumps were unable to keep the 

water out and the crewmen had to be evacuated 

later in the day, Pemex said. "After several 

attempts to save the platform, it could not be 

stabilized and it shifted and partially sank," the 

oil company said, adding that four crane ships 

and seven supply ships participated in the rescue 

operation. The Jupiter housing platform had 

2,075 barrels of diesel and 82 barrels of kerosene 

in its fuel tanks, Pemex said. The diesel is in 

floating pontoon tanks and the kerosene is in 

sealed containers, Pemex said. "There are no 

signs of leaks," but workers "will continue monitoring the platform" to detect any spills, Pemex 

said. Platforms provided to Pemex by contractors are inspected annually by firms that follow 

international standards, the company said. Jupiter passed its inspection last June, Pemex said. The 

accident occurred on the high seas some 80 kilometers (about 50 miles) from Ciudad del Carmen, a 

port city in the southeastern state of Campeche. (Source: Fox News; Photo: Terra Networks – 

Reuters) 

PUSHER RUN AGROUND 

13/24 

416-ts pusher tug Mary L (MMSI-No. 

37092190), with a tow of eleven 

empty barges, ran aground and struck 

one of the piers of the Eureka 

Highway Bridge on Apr 2. An 

inspection found no damage to the 

bridge or the barges. No injuries were 

reported. The pusher has a length of 

146 feet a beam of 38 feet. She has a 

twin GM 12-645E7 diesel engine with 

a total output of 4,300 hp. (Source: 

Law and Offices; Photo by Richard E 

Dunbar) 

CAPTAIN OF ‘M/V MEL OLIVER’ SENTENCED TO 3 YEARS’ PROBATION 

FOR 2008 COLLISION 

Terry Carver, age 40, resident of Glasford, Illinois, was sentenced today in federal court by U. S. 

District Judge Helen G. Berrigan to three (3) years‟ probation for creating a hazardous condition on 

board the M/V Mel Oliver in violation of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, announced U. S. 

Attorney Jim Letten. According to court documents, at approximately 7:00 P.M. on July 20, 2008, 

Carver removed himself from the M/V Mel Oliver to travel to Illinois for personal reasons leaving 

the M/V Mel Oliver under the direction and control of an under licensed employee. There were no 

other properly licensed employees to operate the Mel Oliver at the time Carver left the Mel Oliver. 

In a related case, DRD Towing Company,LLC., a marine company located in Harvey, Louisiana, 

which operated the M/V Mel Oliver was sentenced in January, 2011 to two years‟ probation and a


$200,000 fine for 

violation of Ports and 

Waterways Safety Act 

and a misdemeanor 

violation of the Clean 

Water Act. In addition, 

Randall Dantin, a 

resident of co-owner of 

DRD TOWING, was 

sentenced to twenty-one 

(21) months 

imprisonment and a 

$50,000 fine in a separate 

charge of obstruction of 

justice. In another related case, John Bavaret, a licensed apprentice-mate aboard the M/V Mel 

Oliver, previously pled guilty admitting that from approximately July 20, 2008 through July 23, 

2008, he steered the M/V Mel Oliver without a properly-licensed captain present, for DRD 

Towing, L.L.C., a marine company that operated tugboats. Further, he admitted that at 1:30 A.M. 

on July 23, 2008, the M/V Mel Oliver collided with the M/V Tintomara, a 600-foot tanker ship, 

causing the release of approximately 282,828 gallons of fuel oil in the lower Mississippi River near 

downtown New Orleans. Bavaret is awaiting sentencing. (Source: US Department of Justice) 

PUSHER MARC ALLIDED IN HAMBURG 

The German pusher tug Marc (EU-Nr. 04803120) and barge WL 27 (HH 0003) allided with the 

Neuhof ferry pier in Hamburg on Apr 8. The access bridge from the pontoon was destroyed and 

fell into the water. Both vessels suffered damage at the foreship and were towed to the Hachmann 

Quay by tug Hans. No injuries were reported. The tug has a length of 29.4 mtrs. (Source: Law and 

Offices 

TWO SEAMEN KILLED IN COLLISION ON GERMAN CANAL 

Container ship hit freighter in dense fog 

on German waterway. Two seamen were 

knocked overboard and drowned on 

Thursday when the UK-flag container 

ship OOCL Finland collided with the 

Russian-flag freighter Tyumen-2 on the 

Kiel Canal in Germany. The two vessels 

were approaching each other in dense 

fog when the OOCL Finland's bow 

struck the wheelhouse of the Tyumen-2, 

tearing it off. There were four crew 

members on the wheelhouse deck of the 

Tyumen-2 at the time of the collision. The pilot and a channel controller were killed and two 

crewmen from the Tyumen-2 were seriously injured. The Tyumen-2 was badly damaged and 

drifted until it grounded blocking the canal, which runs between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. 

The OOCL Finland suffered minor damage to the bow and several containers were damaged. The 

14/24


OOCL Finland continued on to Rendsburg while the Tyumen-2 had to be towed to Fischerhuette 

to allow canal traffic to continue. Reports state that the tanker Clipper Sund and another vessel ran 

into the canal embankment to avoid colliding with the wrecked vessels. (Source: The Journal of 

Commerce Online by Peter T. Leach; Photo; Courtesy Juergen Braker) 

OFFSHORE NEWS 

Advertisement 

STRATEGIC MARINE RECEIVES ORDER FOR TWO CREW BOATS 

Strategic Marine has secured a contract with JCB Oil & Gas Services Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian 

company involved in providing services to the expanding oil and gas sector in the country. Under 

the contract JCB Oil & Gas will purchase two 40 metre Crew Boats (with a further option for two 

additional vessels). The vessels will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2011 at Strategic Marine‟s 

Singapore shipyard. The Australian owned Shipbuilding company is no stranger to the Malaysian 

market. With the sale of vessels, Hull 337 and 345, pushing Strategic Marine‟s total boats supplied 

into the Malaysian marine sector to twenty-eight. Strategic Marine currently has one remaining 

Crew Boat for sale, however, negotiations are well underway with numerous clients to purchase 

this along with potentially several additional vessels. “We do not anticipate this vessel to be 

available much longer, the market interest is extremely promising and we hope to finalise a deal in 

a matter of weeks”, stated Terry O‟Connor. Strategic Marine is currently contracted for more than 

250 vessels at its yards in Australia, Vietnam, Mexico and Singapore. (Source: Strategic Marine) 

15/24


MERMAID MARINE AUSTRALIA BUYS PSV 

Register of Shipping classed. (Photo: Tommy Bryceland) 

PROTESTERS PREVENT PETROBRAS SURVEY OPERATION 

16/24 

The 2008 built Offshore Supply Vessel 

VOS Pathfinder (Imo 9366079) was 

spotted last week in the James Watt 

Dock Greenock. Her rescue boats 

already ashore and the ballasting 

underway she is getting ready for a 

much needed "shave" and clean up in a 

Local Drydock. The OSV is U.K. 

registered with call sign 2ALO7 and 

owned by Scotland Transport Finance 

1 – Cheshire, UK and managed by 

Vroon Offshore Services Ltd. – 

Aberdeen, UK. She has a grt of 1433 

ton a dwt of 952 ton and is Lloyd‟s 

The Brazilian oil company 

surveying the seabed off East Cape 

has temporarily stopped its 

operations, after protesters swam 

in the path of its survey vessel, 

The Orient Explorer(photo). 

Petrobras was awarded a permit 

last year to explore 12,000 square 

kilometres in the Raukumara 

Basin for gas and oil. The 

company stopped its explorations 

at about 2pm on Sunday, saying it 

was unsafe to work while 

protesters were in the water. 

Petrobras spokesperson Mark 

Blackham says the protesters are not having a huge impact on its operations, as surveying is 

expected to take up to 60 days. He says it is not known when Petrobras will restart its surveying. 

Maritime New Zealand says it is monitoring the situation by listening to radio communications. 

(Source: Radio New Zealand; Photo credited by Ian Baker-Shipspotting) 

GLOBAL OFFSHORE BAGS RS 39-CRORE CONTRACT 

Anchor Handling Tug cum Supply Vessel (AHTSV), MV Mahananda has been awarded a 3 year 

contract. Global Offshore Services Limited (formerly known as Garware Offshore Services) one of 

the leading offshore vessels services providers has entered in to a 3-year contract with one of the 

exploration and production company. The company‟s anchor handling tug cum supply vessel 

(AHTSV), MV Mahananda has been awarded a 3 year contract with an approx value of Rs 13 crore 

per annum and the same will be deployed on the West Coast of India. Commenting on this


development, Aditya 

Garware, Vice Chairman 

and Managing Director, 

Global Offshore Services 

Limited said, “The 

Company continues to be 

bullish on this sector in 

view of the increased 

Exploration & Production 

Activity. We at Global 

offshore strongly believe 

and see a huge potential in 

this business.” Global Offshore operates a total fleet of 13 vessels. “The company is committed 

towards increasing its presence in new geographical markets,” added Aditya Garware. (Source: 

Business Standard; Photo: B. Poulsen) 

SALE OF " CS ENTERPRISE " 

Advertisement 

Arena Ltd. – Istanbul 

pleased to announce 

the delivery of “CS 

Enterprise ” from 

Greenbay 

Marine/Singapore to 

the Undisclosed 

Nigerian Buyers. 

Arena Ltd., acted as 

the sole broker in the 

deal. The Anchor 

handling utility tug 

has a length of 36 

mtrs, a beam of 10.40 

mtrs and a draft of 

4,00 mtrs. Her two Cummins KTA50-M2,2 main engines develop a total of 3,600 bhp which result 

in a bollard pull of 45 tons. The utility tug is Bureau Veritas classed. (Source: Arena Ltd) 

17/24


DEEP SEA SUPPLY SECURES CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR ITS AHTS 

VESSEL 

Advertisement 

18/24 

Deep Sea Supply announces 

that the AHTS vessel “Sea 

Bear” has been awarded a 9 

month contract extension from 

Melittah Gas for operations in 

the Mediterranean until 

January 2012. “Sea Bear” will 

replace “Sea Cheetah” which 

has been working under this 

contract. (Source: Offshore 

Energy Today; Photo: Ruud 

Zegwaard) 

ASSO ZEJT 1 ENTERING GRAND HARBOUR, MALTA FOR THE FIRST 

TIME 

The 1975 built Malta flag 

and owned offshore 

tug/supply ship Asso Zejt 1 

entering Grand Harbour, 

Malta for the first time on 

Wednesday 13th April 2011 

after a general refit at 

Bizerte, Tunisia. (Photo: 

Capt. Lawrence Dalli - 

www.maltashipphotos.co 

m)


MEO STRIKES DEAL WITH VAN OORD 

Miclyn Express Offshore recently announced the award of a contract for the charter of four barges 

by Van Oord Middle East Ltd. The barges will be chartered in from a third party and used for rock 

transport in the Arabian Gulf. Miclyn's current fleet of available barges in the Middle East are not 

suited for this application. The firm contract period is 40 weeks with extension options in place. 

Total value of the firm contract is US$3.1 millio. (Source: OSO) 

WINDFARM NEWS 

Advertisement 

Manufacturing & Design of 

Class approved 

Active Heave 

Compensated 

CRANES & WINCHES 

For Marine and Offshore up to 500 ton 

Sold & Serviced World Wide 

www.ahc-cranes.com 

GARDLINE MOBILISES NEW SURVEY VESSEL 

19/24 

AHC Cranes Pte Ltd 

Company No.:201004355K 

151 Chin Swee Road 

#03-28 Manhattan House 

Singapore 169876 

Tel. : +65 9059 6585 

Fax : +65 6735 8015 

SKYPE: ahccranes 

ahccranes@gmail.com 

Ivero, the latest edition to the Gardline 

vessel fleet, has recently been mobilised in 

Lowestoft, ready to commence a 

geophysical survey for a windfarm 

development, offshore Germany. This 

follows on from a significant benthic 

sampling campaign over a large windfarm 

development site, offshore of East Anglia. 

The vessel has been extensively upgraded 

to perform a variety of marine survey 

tasks, including geophysics, benthic 

sampling, shallow geotechnics, UXO and 

post construction monitoring and cable 

burial surveys. Although only 34m in length and 3m draft, Ivero, uniquely for this class of vessel, 

features accommodation for up to 16 client personnel, purpose built 25m2 survey laboratory, large 

after-working deck and 20T SWL A-frame. Twin screw and bow thruster offers a high degree of 

manoeuvrability for sampling operations combined with low fuel consumption. A high resolution 

survey sensor suite has been installed including hull mounted shallow water Kongsberg multibeam 

bathymetry, DGPS and acoustic positioning, side-scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler, survey and 

sampling winches. Latest additions include multiple magnetometer deployment for more efficient 

UXO survey, full integrated seismic geophysical capability, and modular system for rapid 

reconfiguration between survey tasks. With typical endurance of 21 days and 24 hour capability to 

operate from 5m to 150m water-depths, Ivero offers a flexible and cost effective solution for a wide 

range of survey activities. (Source: OSO; Photo: Paul Schaap-PAS Publications)


TWIN AXE CATAMARAN ALMOST COMPLETED 

Damen is currently 

finalising the first “Twin 

Axe” Catamaran to 

support Offshore Wind 

farms in the widest 

sense. The High Speed 

Support Vessel 2610 is 

believed to be one of the 

most innovative design 

concepts developed by 

Damen in the last 

decade. Although the 

“Axe Bow” concept has 

been developed some 5 

years ago with great 

commercial success, the 

“Twin Axe” offers a 

more stable platform within the 24 m loadline. Compared to “conventional” catamarans with the 

same displacement the new concept offers reduced peak accelerations upto 75%, reduced calm 

water resistance upto 15% and reduced added resistance in waves upto 60%. To date Damen has 

delivered 25 Sea Axe monohulls and 22 are under construction. The first HSSV 2610 will be 

introduced during “Seawork 2011” in Southampton. (14 – 16 June). In May the vessel will be 

subject to a test programme to verify the actual performance against the predictions and model 

tests. Special features of this design are: • front fendering designed for impact speeds over 3 knots 

without damage to the ship‟s structure. • aft wheelhouse / accommodation for lowest possible 

accelerations. • flexibly mounted wheelhouse for lowest possible noise levels. • two-step gearbox 

for maximum bollard pull without engine overload at 0-speed. • large cargo deck for 2 x 20 ft 

containers (max. 15 tons). • diving / rescue platform aft. • high degree of customisation i.e. 

moonpool and extra accommodation. • fuel transfer option. • trimming of vessel using fore and aft 

fuel tanks. • extensive endurance. • 3 point mooring system, (Press Release Damen) 

YARD NEWS 

Advertisement 

20/24


NEWLY DEVELOPED MULTI-PURPOSE TUG FOR OFFSHORE USE IN 

CONSTRUCTION 

The company Hans Schramm 

& Sohn Schleppschifffahrt has 

given a newbuilding contract 

for the first “NavTug ® 

FlatTop”, developed by 

NavConsult AWSS GmbH & 

Co. KG. The planning, 

consulting and engineering 

company NavConsult offers 

comprehensive and practical 

maritime know-how from one 

source. Founded in 2006, 

provides the NavConsult team in Brunsbüttel, Germany, highly specialized and customized 

consulting services. A major focus is the development of tugs, pontoons and specialized vessels for 

the offshore service. The latest design of the company which belongs to the SCHRAMM group is 

the multi-purpose tug “NavTug ® FlatTop”. First unit of this new development has already been 

ordered at the end of last year in Turkey to SANMAR shipyard. Construction of the tug began in 

December, delivery is expected for early 2012. The vessel will sail under German flag. After 

completion she will join the fleet of Hans Schramm & Sohn Schleppschifffahrt which is also a 

member of the SCHRAMM group. The “NavTug ® FlatTop” is a versatile and powerful assistant 

tug according to MultiCAT- and EuroCarrier building type, which was developed in close 

coordination with the BG-Verkehr (german seaman`s accident prevention and insurance 

association) and the classification society Germanischer Lloyd. Due to very low draft she can be 

also used nearshore and offshore for several works like assistance in offshore sites and windfarms, 

like an anchor handler or a cable layer supporter. This type of tug meets all national and 

international flag state formalities and regulations for 24-hour operation, especially here, the cabin 

sizes and noise in the accommodation (< 60 db). With a length of 31.5 m and a width of 11.5 m it 

will have a bollard pull of around 43 tonnes. The vessel has a large, free wooden covered deck with 

a powerful deck crane and a double drum towing and anchor handling winch. After completion of 

the new vessel it will be used as escort and support vessel for the cable layer ship NOSTAG 10. The 

shipping company already has a long-term charter contract. In the past NavConsult has already 

convinced its customer with the successful development of the “NavTug ® 18 TS push” in the 

specialized shipbuilding. Two vessels of this type were completed in 2009. These tugs have a selfdeveloped 

wheelhouse, which can lift 4.4 m in height by using a mechanism. The lifting 

mechanism is patented. Both tugs have been chartered to PB Towage since the summer of 2009 for 

the exploration of CHEVRON in the Australian gas field “GORGON” for up to 6 years to berth 

northsea-standard barges (91,5x27,5x6,1m) in the nature reserve around Barow Island due to less 

exhaust emissions, low noise and shallow draft of 1,8m with 16t bollard pull. In other sectors 

NavConsult is a competent partner as well. These sectors include logistics consulting, planning and 

implementation, offshore and project consulting, surveys, seafastening according to CSS and 

classification rules, heavy lift logistics and calculations, construction management, construction 

and project supervision. As a member of the SCHRAMM group NavConsult is able to integrate 

highly qualified employees from other divisions to plan and implement large projects. Therefore 

NavConsult uses the practical experience for suitable theoretical solutions. (Source: 

H.Schramm/press release) 

21/24


SBM ORDERS DSCV 

SBM Offshore has placed an order for a new Diving Support & Construction Vessel (DSCV). 

Singapore‟s Keppel Singmarine will build the ship, designed by Norway‟s Marin Teknikk, for 

delivery in 2013. Neither party disclosed the value of the deal but Keppel said today that the DSCV 

was part of new orders worth $240m, which also includes upgrading a Floating Production Storage 

and Offloading (FPSO) unit. The DSCV will have two decks with a storage area on the upper deck 

freeing up the lower deck for anchor handling equipment. The vessel will be equipped with a 

knuckle boom crane and a winch that will allow it to carry out construction and installation work 

in 1,500 metres of water. SBM said the purchase is part of its strategy to grow offshore turnkey 

services. The company owns the world‟s largest fleet of FPSOs. (Source: TradeWinds) 

OSTENSJO REDERI ORDERS PLATFORM SUPPLY VESSEL AT GONDAN 

SHIPYARD, SPAIN 

Gondan shipyard has just 

signed a new contract with 

the norwegian shipowner 

Ostensjo Rederi. This 

contract came into force 

the 8th april 2011. The new 

vessel is a supply vessel that 

will support the operation 

of Oil Rigs operating in the 

North Sea. This new unit 

will be construction 

number c444 and will be 

the seventh one built by 

Gondan for Ostensjo 

Rederi. The main 

characteristics of the vessel 

are: -Length O A : 92,60 m -Breadth : 20,60 m -Accommodation for 40 persons -Deck area : 1038 

m2 -Designed by Skipsteknisk. Østensjø has been at the forefront of Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) 

design and operation since this type of vessels first came into service. From 1978 to present our 

PSV‟s have been continuously employed by Shell, UK to service installations in the central and 

northern North Sea. Østensjø was the first company to introduce Dynamic Positioning system on 

board supply vessels used for conventional cargo operations. This is now standard on all PSVs 

within the company. The company has also worked closely with Kongsberg Maritime and taken 

part in the development of several DP reference systems and has by that been one of the first 

companies to take new technology into use. (Source & Image: Offshore Energy Today) 

SRI LANKA DOCKYARD LAYS KEEL FOR NEW SUPPLY VESSEL 

Sri Lankan ship builder Colombo Dockyard has laid the keel for the first of a series three 

Multipurpose Platform Supply Vessels for Singapore's Greatship Global Offshore Services. The 

vessel, scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2012, is to support offshore oil and gas fields 

around the clock, a company statement said. It was designed by Seatech Solutions International of 

22/24


Singapore and incorporates an oil recovery arrangement. The vessel will have an endurance of 35 

days and a cruising range of about 9,200 nautical miles. "Designed for operation worldwide and 

with a speed of 13.8 knots, the vessel can get to the desired location around the world as quickly as 

possible, minimizing downtime," the yard said. "The vessel shall also be equipped with an 

advanced dynamic positioning system which assures safe and more efficient operations while 

working in close proximity to oil platforms, even under the harsh weather conditions. The vessel is 

designed to have an accommodation area for 50 persons. (Source: LBO) 

PGS ORDERS RAMFORM VESSELS FROM MHI 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) 

has received an order for two 

vessels capable of threedimensional 

(3D) seismic data 

acquisition for sea bottom resource 

exploration from Petroleum Geo- 

Services (PGS). The contract, 

which was signed on April 14 in 

Oslo, also provides an option to 

PGS to order another two vessels in 

the future. Delivery of the two 

ships on order is slated to begin in 

the spring of 2013. The vessels are the Ramform W-class, the newest generation in the Ramform 

series featuring advanced 3D seismic data acquisition/analysis capability. The 104-metre vessels 

have a very wide breadth of 70 metres. For quiet operation, the vessels will adopt diesel electric 

propulsion. The Ramform W-class vessel employs multiple streamer cables, each several kilometres 

in length, towed from the vessel‟s stern. The cables contain a vibration sensor known as a 

“hydrophone” which detects echoes of sound waves emitted from sound sources and bounced back 

from the sea bottom and stratum boundaries. The detected echoes are used for 3D seismic analysis. 

The new Ramform vessels ordered by PGS have a 30-metre wider stern compared with existing 

vessels; this feature permits the deployment of a greater number of streamer cables - up to 24 lines 

-enabling exploration of a wider area at one time. (Source: Baird) (Red: see TT&O issue Nr.7 also) 

WEBSITE NEWS 

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Last week there have been new updates posted: 

1. Several updates on the News page posted last week: 

Bollinger receives the 2010 “Award for excellence in safety” 

Bollinger announces the appointment of Charles “Skip” Bowen 

Damen introduce the “Twin Axe Catamaran” for Offshore Wind Farms 

23/24


Newly developed multi-purpose tug for offshore use in construction 

MAX christened 

Three 3,200BHP Southeast Asian Tugs Sold to Latin America 

Police monitoring offshore protest activity 

mailto:Please note that my e-mail address has changed into jvds@towingline.com 

This site is intended to be collective exchange of information. Information on this site has been pulled from many sources; we have 

attempted to credit these sources. But due to the multitude of sources sometimes we are unable to note all the sources. If you feel that 

material that is posted here is of your authorship and you have not been credited properly please alert us and I will correct the credit or 

remove it in accordance to the author's wishes. 

DISCLAIMER 

The compiler of the Tugs Towing & Offshore Newsletter disclaim all liability for any loss, damage or expense however caused, arising 

from the sending, receipt, or use of this e-mail communication and on any reliance placed upon the information provided through this 

free service and does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information. For more information about advertising, 

subscription, preferences and un-subscription visit the website: http://www.towingline.com The Tugs Towing & Offshore Newsletter is 

a ::JVDS-MARCOL:: Archive Production. 

24/24

No. 15/2011 - Towingline.com

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