Bollinger Delivers Z-Drive Tug Savannah

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., has delivered the 4,000 HP, Z-Drive tug Savannah, to Crescent Towing, New Orleans. It is the second Z-Drive tug in the Crescent Towing fleet, which now totals 24 tugs. Savannah is 96 ft. long, with a 34-ft. beam and a 14.75-ft. depth. It is powered by two Caterpillar 3516B diesel engines developing a total of 4,000 HP. They drive two Ulstein 1650H Z-Drives connected to nibral propellers in nozzles. Each Z-Drive unit can be operated independently through 360 degrees giving the tug exceptional maneuverability. “She is Crescent’s first tractor (tug) in Savannah,” said Ed Bazemore, Crescent Towing vice-president and port manager in the Georgia city. “This vessel and its technology are needed here. Upon her arrival she will be used to work LNG and container ships. Ships are becoming larger and growing in length, beam and draft…she has the power we need and will be a workhorse and utilized heavily. Her captain, Walt Schaaf and William Cazaubon, chief engineer, are totally excited and honored to be aboard.” After Savannah had completed sea trials, Keith Kettenring, Crescent executive vice-president said, “I have all good things to say about the boat. She’s fantastic, gorgeous, fast, powerful and everything we had hoped.” The name “Z-Drive” is derived from the drive shaft configuration which is horizontal off the engine, vertical through the hull, and horizontal at the propeller hub, thus forming a rough outline of a letter Z. Z-Drives do not require rudders and are rapidly becoming the preferred propulsion system for many ship-assist and line-haul tugs. Electricity for the boat’s hotel loads and other systems is produced by two Caterpillar generator sets, each supplying 90Kw. Designed by Jensen Maritime Consultants, Inc., Seattle, Savannah’s pilothouse has 360-degree visibility, which is unencumbered by exhaust stacks or other equipment. Inside the pilothouse is a full complement of electronic and control equipment including: main engine and vessel controls; depth recorder; GPS; radars; radio and public address systems; and speed log. A 2000 GPM fire monitor is located atop the pilothouse to fight off-ship fires. Savannah’s fore deck is fitted with a Coastal Marine Equipment Model 1E28-200A3-247-21 double drum escort winch and her aft deck is equipped with a single capstan, Coastal Marine Equipment Model C35-20-93-11. The new tug has accommodations for six persons in three cabins and a galley that serves six. A Red Fox sanitation system is installed for effluent control. Savannah is classed ABS load line and U. S. Coast Guard certificated Subchapter C. Some of the tug’s capacities are: 47,015 gallons fuel oil; 6,700 gallons fresh water; 550 gallons lube oil; 230 gallons Z-Drive oil; 550 gallons hydraulic oil; 575 gallons dirty oil, and 1,300 gallons oily bilge.