Crowley to Lease New Z-Drive Tugs from BayDelta

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. The new Crowley tugs were designed by Jensen Marine Consultants, Inc., of Seattle with ship handling as their primary purpose. The tugs are also being fitted for long-haul towing. According to Nichols, the Valor's horsepower ratings are among the highest posted for Z-drive tugs, with 92 metric tons forward and 90.5 metric tons astern. Increased horsepower is complemented by a heavy skeg to foster better ship handling and escorting.