Brusco Tug & Barge, Inc. of Longview, Wash. has awarded of the construction contract for a new 78 ft. (23.8 m) Z-drive tug to Diversified Marine, Inc. of Portland, Oregon. This new tug is the seventh in the series of the ASD 23/35 high-performance, low-manning tug design developed by
Robert Allan Ltd., and incorporates several new features reflected in the ongoing development of this class of modern high-performance ship assist tug.
The most significant change to the design is the increase in power installed in this tug design since its initial development over 20 years ago. The tug has been increased to provide greater stability, and the fendering system has changed significantly to reflect both the higher power, and changes in fender and hawser technologies.
Powered by two Detroit Diesel Model 12V4000 electronically-controlled diesel engines, each rated at 1,800-bhp driving Ulstein Model 1350H Z-drives, the tug is equipped with Markey Machinery Co. with a hydraulic towing winch supplied by Markey Machinery, which has a "render recover" feature.
The tug is scheduled for delivery during the fourth quarter of 2000, at which time it will be put to work in Port Hueneme, Calif.