Signet Construction of ASD Tug

Construction of Signet Maritime’s seventh ASD tug in less than four years, M/V Signet Vigilant is underway at Signet Shipbuilding & Repair in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The 30 metric ton bollard pull, EPA Tier III, ASD vessel will be the first Castleman Maritime design for Signet with delivery slated for July 2014. The new tug will operate from Signet’s International Operations Center in Ingleside, Texas where it will perform rig escort, ship, and barge assist work.

The design and size will allow Signet operators improved capabilities and maneuverability to assist marine vessels in tight quarters in the shallow depth inland waterways. The environmentally friendly tug will have lower emissions and reduced fuel consumption to meet EPA Tier III marine emission regulations. Signet currently operates 32 vessels providing marine transportation and logistics services and is expanding their fleet to meet the growing demand from the flurry of activity along the Texas Gulf Coast.

At 72 feet in length and with a beam of 28 feet, the M/V Signet Vigilant will be powered by two MTU Model 8V-4000 M54 Tier III engines, rated at 1200 BHP at 1,800 RPM. The engines drive two Rolls Royce US 155 P12-FP azimuth propulsion units. The package will provide an estimated bollard pull of 30 metric tons. Deck machinery includes a Markey DEPC-32, 20 HP winch on the bow, and two Patterson WWP40E 40-ton facing winches on the stern. The hawser winch capacity is 525 feet of 6.5-inch circumference synthetic line.

signetmaritime.com