New RAmparts 3000 Tug for Boston Towing

Boston Towing and Transportation Company has taken delivery of the first of a new pair of tugs designed by Robert Allan Ltd., Naval Architects of Vancouver, B.C., for offshore LNG Terminal support for the Neptune LNG LLC, Deep Water Port, offshore Massachusetts Bay.  The M.V. Justice is the smaller of the two tugs.  It is a modified RAmparts 3000 Class tug which will primarily be engaged in harbour duties, but will serve as the back-up for the larger tug (the ASD 39/70 Class Independence) during the latter's service periods.  The RAmparts 3000 Class tug is designed for a wide range of duties including harbour towage and ship-handling, fire-fighting, coastal towing, however the key role will be standing-by for tankers using the offshore mooring buoy. 

The M.V. Justice was built to the highest standards by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilders of Tacoma, WA.  The tug will be assigned an International Loadline by ABS, and complies with the latest regulations for towing vessels issued by USCG and IMO/Marpol.

Particulars of the Justice are as follows:
Length, o.a    98 ft
Beam, moulded    36 ft
Depth, moulded    17. 7
Load draft (to USK)    17.5 ft

Capacities:
Fuel oil    43,200 gal
Potable water    9,400 gal
Lube oil    800 gal

The propulsion plant comprises a pair of MTU 16V-4000 diesel engines, each rated 2,000 kW (2,681 hp) at 1,800 rpm, and each driving a Rolls-Royce model US 255 CP azimuthing Z-drive steering/propulsion unit.  The controllable pitch Z-drives provide enhanced fuel economy, operational flexibility, and enable efficient operation of the main engine-driven fire-fighting system.  They also significantly reduce prop wash when the tug is operating at low power in confined waters.  This power plant delivers a Bollard Pull of 70 tonnes (154,350 lbs) and a free-running speed of 13 knots. Fire-fighting will be to a Fi-Fi 1 Class, with two FFS pumps each rated 1360 cu.m/hour (6,000 US GPM) driven from front PTO's on the main engines.

The main hawser winch forward is a single drum, Markey DEPCF-50 model, containing 750 ft of 10-inch circumference synthetic hawser, with a brake capacity of 200 short tons.  The aft towing winch is a Jonrie model 512 with a 2,100 ft, 2.25-inch SWR for ocean towing.

Ship-handling fenders comprise an 800 mm cylindrical fender above a row of 450 mm "W" block fenders.  A 300 x 300 hollow "D" fender provides protection at the main and foc'sle deck sheer lines, in conjunction with aircraft tires.  "Soft loop" style fendering protects the aft quarters, with an open transom for buoy-handling, etc.

Modern and comfortable accommodation is provided for a crew of six in two single and two double cabins.