One More Tug From Shin Yang Shipyard

Photo credit: Alan Haig-Brown courtesy of Cummins Marine

In 2003, Shin Yang Shipyard Sdn Bhd obtained the ISO 9002 certification in shipbuilding and maintenance and related metal fabrication activities. By 2004 the yard had delivered 178 vessels of which 86 were tugboats. In August 2007 the yard delivered their Hull #249, the tug Danum 61. Although the yard regularly builds for export, this 101 x 31-ft. tug was delivered to a Malaysian customer and is registered in Kuching Sarawak. Suitable for work in the offshore oil industry the sturdy vessel includes such features as a marked rescue zone on both port and starboard sides with bulwark doors. On deck a 30-ton towing winch, from Singapore’s ME Winch, carries 2,624 ft. of 44-m/m-diameter tow wire. The winch can be controlled from a console beside the full-length window that gives good visibility of the towing winch aft along the deck to the hardwood beam that protects the transom. A replacement for the sacrificial wooden beam is lashed in place under the starboard bulwarks. The aft control station also has a toggle type control for the main rudders as well as a combined speed and direction control of the bow thruster. Full winch and main engine RPM controls are also at the aft of the wheelhouse. The expansive forward control suite as well as the radio communications desk and chart table are built in an attractive blue and natural wood grain finish. The boat is fitted with a ComNav autopilot and PAL Marine steering system.

In the engine room a total of five Cummins engines, sourced from Scott and English (Malaysia), meet propulsive and electrical needs of the tug. A single Cummins NT855 powers the bow thruster while a pair of Cummins 6BT5.9-powered 80 kW generators provides electric power. The main engines are a pair of Cummins KTA38 M2 engines each providing a heavy duty rated 1350 hp at 1900 rpm. The engines turn into Reintjes WAS562 gears with 5.947:1 ratios. Shin Yang Shpyard Manager Capt. Lau Choo Mee says that the Danum 61 is the 17th tug that his yard has built to this successful and popular design.