Heavy-Duty Sea-Fire Systems Protect Crew and Tugs

To meet strict international codes, the marine transportation and logistics services company Signet Maritime Corporation recently installed Sea-Fire suppression and detection systems on three new tugs.

Two of the vessels are 100' x 40' RAstar 3100 Class Terminal Support/Escort tugs. Built by Trinity Offshore, M/V Signet Stars & Stripes and M/V Signet Constellation were recently christened in Gulfport, Mississippi. The third, M/V Signet Weatherly, is a 108' x 40' 4" RAmparts 3200 ASD tug, built by Signet Shipbuilding, and was delivered March 10, 2012.

Each tug is protected by a custom-engineered, automatic Sea-Fire FM-200 fire suppression system and FireStop Detection system.  An EPA-approved alternative to halon, FM-200 is safe for people and equipment. It reaches extinguishing levels in 10 seconds or less to stop combustible, electrical and flammable liquid fires. The system's fast response time adds an extra margin of safety and can result in lower repair costs.

The Sea-Fire FireStop Integrated Marine Fire Detection System monitors cylinder pressure, heat and smoke.  Fire events are quickly identified via an LED light and alarm on the Zone Identification Panel. Designed as a modular system, it can be expanded to provide maximum protection for a range of applications.

"Sea-Fire's detection system is less complicated than others," said Joe Dahl, Signet Shipbuilding & Repair General Manager, "and the Extinguisher Release Panel of the extinguishing system appealed to us. When we encountered design issues, Sea-Fire was very helpful. It's a good, competitively priced system."

M/V Signet Stars & Stripes and M/V Signet Constellation are technologically-advanced tugs, specifically designed and engineered for superior ship-handling, escort and sea-keeping performance.  They will provide marine services to Angola LNG Supply Services (ALSS) in the Port of Pascagoula, Mississippi.

M/V Signet Weatherly is designed for intricate rig work and ocean towing. She will be employed in Signet's expanding U.S. Gulf and overseas ship-assist and ocean-rig transport businesses. The tug has been built and classed to ABS Maltese Cross, AMS, Ocean Towing Service standards.