Crowley Maritime subsidiary, Jensen Maritime complete design of 2 ASD tugboats & a deck cargo barge for Harley Marine.
Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering company Jensen Maritime recently completed the designs of two new ASD tugs, based on the popular Valor tugboat design, and a 250’ x 70’ x 15’ 8” deck barge for customer Harley Marine, a Seattle-based marine transportation provider. The tugs, named Robert Franco and Ahbra Franco, will provide tanker escort and ship assist services along the U.S. West Coast once delivered. The barge, Iliuliuk Bay, will transport a wide variety of cargo between Dutch Harbor and Akutan, Alaska, with up to three runs per week.
Jensen designed the two new industry-setting tugboats similarly to the classic Valor concept, but upgraded them with Tier 3 Cat 3516C engines and Rolls-Royce US 255 Z-drives. But the vessels still maintain the perks of the Valor, such as high horsepower in a compact package, a large fuel capacity for long trips, comfortable crew accommodations and a spacious engine room.
The tugs will also feature an anchor windlass and chain locker, as well as a Markey TES-40 winch. Additionally, Jensen designed the pair of tugs with some of the most advanced safety features in the industry, including a pair of 900 GPM fire pumps and monitors, which will be powered from an on-board generator. Ice plating has also been added to the hulls to ensure safety while working in light ice conditions.
The Iliuliuk Bay will house a 230-ton lift capacity Manitowoc 4100 crawler crane. The vessel’s design features both D-rings to secure containers up to three high as well as eight lashing bars running fore and aft for other cargo such as heavy construction machinery or general equipment. The barge is now under construction by U.S. Fab, in Vigor’s Swan Island shipyard in Portland, Ore with delivery scheduled for later this year.
The Robert Franco and Ahbra Franco are now under construction at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, of Freeland, Wash., and are expected to be delivered in March and July respectively.