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Nothing but wake.ZF technology —the intelligent choice.www.zfmarinepropulsion.com/atrThe 3,000-hptug CharlesBurton,launched lastAugust, is oneof the newSassafrasclass,94-foottugs built atChesapeakeShipbuilding.You want your vessel off and running through the water, getting you to the job athand. When it comes to integrated propulsion packages and shaftline systems,ZF Marine is your best choice in durable and robust products for your commercialcraft needs.With ZF Marine’s complete line of commercial thruster products, you can enjoyquality solutions that offer superior maneuverability backed by ZF Marine’sunparalleled customer service and after-the-sale support. Our strength ofexperience in marine propulsion technology results in a more comprehensiveresource just for you.For all types of vessels. In every type of water.There’s ZF Marine.www.zfmarinecc.com/atrLouisiana and another six tugs fromthe Chesapeake yard plus more than20 new barges and a pair of ATBunits that are the largest in the fleetof this century-old company.The 15 Patapsco-class tugs built inLouisiana between 2004 and 2009 areall muscular looking 100-foot, 4,200-hp coastwise towing vessels withconventional twin-screw propulsion.Then came six of the Sassafras-class94-foot, 3,000-hp tugs designed morefor bunkering work and pushing bargesinto the shallow rivers and creeksof the Eastern Seaboard. Those tugs,including the last two, Oyster Creekand Hunting Creek, are named forcoves, rivers and small tributaries ofthe Chesapeake Bay area.All are Caterpillar powered withJonRie InterTech towing winches andcapstans and designed by Frank Basileand his team at Entech & Associatesof Houma, La.During these years, Vane has alsobeen taking delivery of eight new52,000-bbl barges built by Jeffboatin Indiana, and 12 new 30,000-bblbarges built by Trinity Marine.In 2007 Vane Brothers also tookdelivery of the first of two new140,000-bbl ATB units, with the tugsBranywine and Christiana, and withboth tugs and barges built by BayShipbuilding of Wisconsin.Most of the new tugs can begrouped into two categories: the100-footers from Louisiana and the94-footers from Maryland. Demskesaid that these identical class boatsare making work life easier for VaneBrothers crewmembers.“Most companies don’t have theopportunity to build so many boats allin the same way,” he said. “The identicalnature of the boats gives crewmembersat all levels an advantagein moving from boat to boat. This isespecially true for engineers who findthat all of the machinery spaces areall laid out the same way.”Those identical layouts can be ahuge comfort when you’ve got to geta boat up and running at three in themorning on your first night aboard,he added.30 American Tugboat Review 2011