Signet America Launched
After much deliberation and examination of other existing well-proven Robert Allan Ltd. designs for these roles, the Owners determined that a purpose-built, new design The tug was built to ABS Class notation A1 Towing Vessel, AMS, Escort, Fi-Fi 1 Propulsion comprises a pair of MTU 16V-4000 diesel engines, each rated 3305 BHP (2,465 kW) at 2,000 rpm, and each driving a Niigata model ZP-41 Z-drive with a 2,700 mm diameter propeller through a hollow, in-line shafting system. This combination is predicted to deliver a Bollard Pull of 80 tons ahead, 75+ tons astern, and provide a free running speed in excess of 12 knots. Signet America is outfitted for a crew of up to six people. The crew is accommodated in two double cabins in the lower deck space forward. A spacious, open-plan lounge and mess area dominates the main deck, served by a fully-equipped galley. An open breezeway and access corridor across the deckhouse enables all the interior accesses to be placed in a very sheltered location close to the centerline of the tug, minimizing the potential for any ingress of water below decks, as well as providing a full acoustic break between the noise source of the exhaust casings and the crew quarters and wheelhouse. A deck-accessible toilet is also accessed off the breezeway for crew comfort. The main hawser winch is a single drum, Model DEPCF-52S electric winch supplied by Markey Machinery. The winch has a line capacity of 750 ft. of 10 in circumference (80 mm dia.) synthetic line, a brake capacity of 307 tons (1st layer), and a line pull of 30,818 lbs (13,976 Kg) at a speed of 73 fpm (22.2 meters/minute) or 7,705 lbs (3,494 Kg) at 145 fpm (44.2 metres/minute) - 1st layer.
Electrical power is provided by a pair of Northern Lights gen-sets, each rated 99 kW. The tug has a full Fi-Fi 1 rating in accordance with Class notation requirements. The two Stang/Counterfire 6,200 gpm fire pumps are each driven VIA a PTO off the front of the main engines. Fendering of the Signet America was provided by Schuyler Rubber, and comprises a Shibata 800 mm OD cylindrical bow fender, above an array of Schuyler "soft-loop" fenders which extend around the full length of the main deck.