Nanuq News

The College of Fisheries and Marine Science at the University of Alaska Fairbanks added a new Armstrong Marine-built research vessel to its fleet, Nanuq, which arrived in Seward, Alaska, ealiers this summer.The Port Angeles, Wash.-based boatbuilder designed the 40-foot aluminum hulled boat and Pacific Power Group, working closely with Armstrong, fit the vessel with a pair of Volvo Penta D6 engines that each deliver 330hp. The engines are paired with Aquamatic outdrives and Volvo…

The 40’ x 13’ research vessel Nanuq recently entered service for the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. In a competitive solicitation process last year, the University selected Armstrong Marine’s proposal to design and build the vessel.Nanuq is customized for research and teaching operations. The monohull features 28 – 32 knot cruise speed, hydraulic A-frame, overnight accommodations for five, full-service galley, head, Northern Lights 5kW diesel generator…

Eighty-seven vessels owned or managed by Crowley Maritime Corporation recently received the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA)’s annual Jones F. Devlin Awards in recognition of their 2016 safety records. Each year, the CSA grants Devlin Award certificates to manned merchant vessels that have operated for two or more years without incurring a Lost Time Injury (LTI), highlighting the skills and dedication of the crewmembers responsible for safe vessel operations. Crowley’s 2016 Devlin Award-worthy vessels together have achieved 670 years of service without an LTI.

Seventy-five Crowley Maritime Corporation vessels have received the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA)’s annual Jones F. Devlin Awards in recognition of their outstanding safety records in 2013, honors given during a luncheon held last week in New Orleans, La. Each year the CSA grants Devlin Award certificates to manned merchant vessels that have operated for two or more years without incurring a Lost Time Injury (LTI), specifically highlighting the skills and dedication of the crewmembers responsible for safe vessel operations.

During the tenth-annual Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) awards ceremony held in Washington, D.C., this week, Crowley Maritime Corporation was awarded 100 Certificates of Environmental Achievement for 2013 – more than any other company in the running. The certificates were awarded to Crowley-owned and operated vessels for having worked at least two consecutive years without an environmental incident. Additionally, Crowley was also presented with a membership award in recognition of five years of support to the CSA.

Owners Shell confirm that 'Kulluk' safe to tow from Kiluda Bay to Dutch Harbor & await arrival of heavy-lift semi submersible vessel for the 'dry tow'. The Unified Command has been stood down. “Agency representatives will return to their normal roles and responsibilities," said Capt. Paul Mehler III, the Coast Guard Federal On-Scene Coordinator. After weeks of thorough assessment, analysis and on board activity, Shell confirmed that the Kulluk is safe to tow out of Kiliuda Bay.

The M/V Aiviq icebreaker, contracted by Shell Oil to support drilling in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea, was ordered in July 2009 and completed by Edison Chouest Offshore in early 2012. The $200m Aiviq is the largest vessel ever built by Chouest, and will be among the most advanced and powerful, non-military icebreakers on the waters. In order for a ship to be “ice class,” the hull must be thick, and extra girders, beams and bulkheads are needed for structural integrity. The Aiviq is designed to American Bureau of Shipping A3 capabilities to operate in frigid…

The M/V Aiviq icebreaker, contracted by Shell Oil to support drilling in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea, is scheduled to be completed by Louisiana-based Edison Chouest Offshore in early 2012. The vessel, ordered in July 2009, is on track for April 1, 2012, delivery in Galliano, La., and will then head north, according to Shell Oil spokesman Curtis Smith. The $200m Aiviq is the largest vessel ever built by Chouest, and will be among the most advanced and powerful, non-military icebreakers on the waters.

Crowley's commitment to provide scholarship opportunities to deserving students continued on Dec. 7 as four U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadets were presented Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships at the Containerization and Intermodal Institute's Connie Awards luncheon in Newark, N.J. Cadets John Buehler, Patrick Delargy, Andrea Morrison and Kyle O'Connor were awarded with Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial scholarships based on their exemplary academic records and financial need. Midshipmen Marie Ebers was also awarded the Containerization & Intermodal Institute's Richard A.

Crowley Marine Services received delivery of Tan'erliq - the second of two new 10,192 hp tractor tugs from Crowley Maritime Corporation subsidiary, Vessel Management Services. Measuring 155 ft. in length, Tan'erliq and sister vessel Nanuq are the largest and strongest of the cycloidal tugs. The tugs, which together form the Prince William Sound Class, have specifically designed and developed form CMS under contract with Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for tanker escort and spill response operations in Valdez Harbor and Prince William Sound, Alaska.

Crowley Maritime is sending the second of its big new 10,192 hp Prince William Sound class tanker escort tugs, Tan'erliq, north to Alaska this month. It will be following in the wake of the first boat, Nanuq, which went north earlier this year. Both vessels have been designed with cold weather and rough seas in mind, and each features an innovative new deck heating system. "We were looking for new and innovative technology," said Maynard Willms, vice-president of Vessel Management Services, Inc (VMS), the Crowley subsidiary charged with designing and overseeing construction of the new tugs. According to Willms, after two years of searching…

While Z-Drive can still be considered a "revolutionary" design trait of today's tugboats, engineers aren't resting on their laurels. New technical standards being introduced are testimony to designers' creativity and imagination; and the functionality is improved, as well. The use of tugs with either Z-drive or VSP propulsion have led to much faster, safer and more efficient ship-assist operations, without fail, says Robert Allan, of the marine engineering firm, Robert Allan Ltd. In fact, he adds, some tug companies with Z-drive tugs have had insurance premiums lowered because of the reduced risk of them damaging an attended ship with better tugs. But in no way have tugs evolved to their highest achievable level. The birth of such innovative designs was not unexpected, says Allan.

Crowley Marine Services (CMS) took delivery of Nanuq, the first of two 153-ft., 10,192 hp enhanced tractor tugs from Crowley Maritime Corp. subsidiary Vessel Management Services. Nanuq and her sister vessel Tan'erliq have been specially designed and developed for CMS under contract with Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for tanker escort operations in Valdez Harbor and Prince William Sound, Alaska. Because of the intended service environment, these vessels were designed to demanding specifications as the most powerful cycloidal propulsion tugs ever built, capable of a bollard pull of 208,000 lbs., and a vessel speed of 14.5 knots. In sea trials, the vessel was found to deliver in excess of 210,000 lbs. of bollard pull and a top vessel speed of just under 16 knots.