US Navy's Newest Yard Tug Launched

The U.S. Navy’s first Yard Tug (YT) 808 class vessel was launched at Dakota Creek Industries' (DCI) shipyard on May 16. The Navy and DCI plan to conduct acceptance trials for the vessel in July, followed by planned delivery in August.

The new tug is the first in a series of six being built by the Anacortes, Wash. shipbuilder for scheduled delivery through early 2022. 

The YT 808 vessels are designed by Robert Allan Ltd. after the Navy’s existing YT 802 Valiant-class tugs to perform towing and ship-handling duties for carriers, surface ships, submarines and barges. Built to commercial ABS standards, the 90- by 38-foot tugs feature an updated deck house, EPA Tier IV CAT 3512E Main engines, Schottel 1012 Z-Drives and a new fendering system, and will have a top speed of approximately 11.7 knots and a bollard pull of approximately 40 metric tons.  

The tugs are outfitted with a hydraulic hawser winch and staple on the forward deck for towing, and an “H” bitt installed on the aft deck with an adjacent hydraulic capstan for tightening lines. Similar to the previous 802 Class, the new YT 808 Class tugs will have an articulating hydraulic brow installed aft of the deckhouse to allow personnel transfers to and from alongside ships or submarines.

“This is an exciting milestone for this program as the YT 808 class tugs will replace the tugs built in 1964 through 1975,” said Mike Kosar, program manager of Support Ships, Boats, and Craft Program Office, Program Executive Office Ships (PEO Ships).  “With five more in the pipeline, we’re excited to get these tugs underway and operational.”

(Image: Dakota Creek Industries)