Baydelta Maritime News

The Boat builders in Freeland, Washington, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) has successfully trialed and delivered Baydelta Maritime’s,  new 100’ x 40’ Delta Class Hybrid Tractor Tug.The Tug is the seventh tractor tug NBBB has built for Baydelta and its affiliated companies, but the first Hybrid, an exciting milestone for both NBBB and Baydelta.Baydelta CEO, Shawn Bennett said: "The Delta Teresa is a great addition to our fleet of the 100x40 90 ton tugs. Baydelta and Nichols Brothers have a long standing relationship, together creating what is widely recognized as the premier Harbor tug class”.The tug is powered by two (2) Caterpillar C3516 C Tier 3 diesel engines each rated at 1995 kW @ 1600 rpm and by two (2) 424kw electric motors.

Rolls-Royce received Approval in Principle (AIP) from classification organization ABS for its novel hybrid propulsion system for tractor tugs.The AIP was granted following an evaluation of the world’s first hybrid tug, a unique vessel designed by Jensen Maritime and which Nichols Brothers Boat Builders will deliver to Baydelta Maritime LLC in February 2019. The vessel will be the first tug boat installed with the Rolls-Royce hybrid propulsion system.ABS considers the Rolls-Royce hybrid system is…

Systems integrator and equipment maker Rolls-Royce has quietly been adding hybridizing energy-storage packages to a diverse list of vessels. Yet, so, too, has one of its clients — Louisiana-based SEACOR Marine, as it reacts early to tightened emissions and energy-management standards, or EMS, for vessels plying Europe and North America. Fuel savings and energy-company clients seeking green credentials are, it turns out, just part of the upside driving battery retrofits.The fuel savings to be had for keeping thrusters on battery power are a powerful selling point, to be sure.

Jensen Maritime was recently selected to provide the design for Baydelta Maritime’s new 100-foot, Z-Drive hybrid tugboat. It will use Rolls-Royce hybrid technology and represents the first installation of a hybrid system for Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB), and the first hybrid tug designed by Jensen to enter the construction phase. Scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2019, the tug will feature the same ship assist and tanker escort capabilities of existing Valor class harbor tugs, but with multiple operational modes.

Rolls-Royce said it will supply a hybrid propulsion arrangement for installation to a multipurpose tractor tug being built for Baydelta Maritime LLC at the Nichols Brothers Boat Builders shipyard in Washington State, U.S. The 100-foot long tug is due for delivery in the first quarter of 2019, and will feature the same ship assist and tanker escort capabilities of existing Delta Class harbor tugs but with improved towing performance. Rolls-Royce said its hybrid system enhances the vessel’s escort capability…

Baydelta Maritime has ordered a new 100-foot, Z-Drive hybrid tugboat from shipbuilder Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB). Scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2019, the new tug will use Rolls-Royce hybrid technology and represents the first installation of a hybrid system for NBBB. The vessel will also be the first hybrid tug designed by Jensen Maritime to enter the construction phase. The new tug will feature the same ship assist and tanker escort capabilities of existing Valor class harbor tugs, but with multiple operational modes.

Capital Access Group (CAG) says that its $10.4 Million 504 Loan has enabled the acquisition of  a powerful, 85-ton tractor tugboat for San Francisco Bay – Baydelta Maritime's 'Delta Audrey'. Capital Access Group is a commercial real estate lender specializing in U.S. Small Business Administration 504 financing for growing businesses. CAG explain that the Delta Audrey features the most modern design, engines, and equipment to increase safety, reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions, and provide increased capability to stop or redirect a tanker in shorter distances. “Our customers, the ship owners, continually demand more powerful tugs that can stop or redirect a tanker in a shorter distance…

San Francisco headquartered Bay Delta Maritime commissioned a sixth Delta Class Tug with Nichols Brothers Boat Builders out of Whidbey Island Washington. The Jensen designed M/V Delta Audrey, is a 100’x40’ z-drive tractor tug that is set to be delivered in June. The Tractor Tug is ABS load line certified and consists of a complete propulsion system that includes two Caterpillar 3516C diesel engines coupled to the Rolls Royce propulsion package. This system will produce 93 tons of bollard pull with a combined horsepower of 6800, giving the tug exceptional pulling power and maneuverability.

Responding to the oil spills of the Exxon Valdez in 1989 and the American Trader in 1990, California enacted the Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act (OPA 90). Thus, an evaluation of tractor tug development and construction on the west coast led to tugs providing bollard pulls of +/-90 tons. San Francisco Marine Exchange (SFMX), a non-profit whose maritime history in San Francisco dates back to 1849, acts on behalf of California’s Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR). They help to monitor the compliance of these OSPR regulations.

Smith Berger Marine, Inc. recently delivered another towing pin stern roller set to Baydelta Maritime for installation on their 100 ft, 94 Ton Bollard Pull tug, Delta Cathryn, currently being built at Nichols Brothers Boatbuilders. The towing pins are designed for use with 2.5 inch wire rope and are the fourth set delivered to Baydelta for this vessel class. The tow pins and hold down hook are hydraulically raised and lowered by a dedicated hydraulic power unit located below deck; operation is from the control panel situated in the wheelhouse.

Crowley Maritime Corporation took delivery of the Vigilant, a new Z-Drive tugboat that is being chartered from BayDelta Maritime, Inc., for use in Crowley's ship assist and escort business in Cook Inlet, Alaska. The nimble, powerful, ice-strengthened tug will be stationed at the Tesoro Alaska Company's Nikiski refinery in Cook Inlet on a year-round basis to provide enhanced safety and environmental protection for tankers docking there. The tug was built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders…

New tractor tug Delta Linda, delivered to Baydelta Maritime, by MARCO Shipyard Seattle, is virtually identical to another tug of the same name built for Baydelta two years ago. Since her delivery in November 1997, the first MARCO-built Delta Linda has been renamed and placed on long-term charter, and the new Delta Linda is her replacement. Like her predecessor, the new tug is 105 ft. long, with a beam overall of 36.8 ft. and a draft of 13-17 ft. She is powered by a pair of Caterpillar 3516B diesels, providing a total of 4,400 bhp to her twin Ulstein 1650H Z-drive units, with 94.5 in. skewed Kaplan-style propellers in Ulstein high-performance nozzles. This propulsion combination has increased the static bollard pull by more than seven percent compared with the earlier vessel.

Crowley Maritime Corporation announced that its marine services subsidiary has chartered the Valor, a newly built, 100-ft., Z-drive harbor tug from BayDelta Maritime, Inc., for use in the company's ship assist and tanker escort business in the Pacific Northwest. The tug, built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Inc., in Langley, Wash., was christened July 21 and delivered to Crowley on Saturday. Crowley will also lease the Valor's sister tug, Vigilant, from BayDelta when it is completed at the Nichols yard in November. The Vigilant will be stationed at Tesoro Alaska Company's Nikiski, Alaska refinery in Cook Inlet on a year-round basis. The powerful boat will be strengthened for ice and severe winter conditions found there.

Baydelta Maritime of San Francisco has exercised its option for a second 100-ft., 6800-hp harbor tug from Nichols Brothers Boat Builders. Meanwhile, an order for a similar tug has been received from Minette Bay Shipdocking, Ltd., of Prince Rupert, British Columbia, the company said. The first tug is expected to be delivered in June, with the second Bay- delta tug due in October. Delivery date for the Minette Bay tug is forecasted for December. According to a Baydelta spokesman, the company’s two tugs will be named the Delta Billie and the Delta Cathryn. The tugs were designed by Jensen Marine Consultants, Inc., of Seattle with ship handling as their primary purpose, although they will also be fitted for long-haul towing.

MARCO Shipyard recently made an early delivery of Delta Deanna, the fourth Z-drive tug built for Baydelta Maritime of San Francisco. With the first tug, Delta Linda, renamed and out on long-term charter, Delta Deanna becomes the third of the new generation tugs to enter full-time service for Baydelta. Like sister vessels Delta Carey and the second Delta Linda, the new tug measures 105 x 36.8 x 13 ft. The vessel is powered by twin Caterpillar 3516B diesels, providing a total of 4,400 hp to the Ulstein 1650H Z-drive units, each with a 94.5 in. skewed Kaplan-style propeller in Ulstein's high-performance nozzle. Auxiliary power is supplied by two CAT 3304BT diesels, each driving a 105 kW generator and a hydraulic PTO.