Page 58: of Marine News Magazine (November 2022)

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Feature

Great Vessels of 2022

Vane Brothers

CHARLES

HUGHES

Owner: Vane Brothers

Builder: Chesapeake

Shipbuilding

Designer: Chesapeake

Shipbuilding altimore-based Vane Brothers earlier this year wel- Annapolis and Rock Hall, were delivered in 2019, 2020

Bcomed the ? nal boat in a series of four 3,000-horse- and 2021, respectively. Along with providing exceptional power Salisbury Class push tugs. Named the Charles crew comfort, reliability and operational ef? ciency, all four

Hughes, Vane’s newest addition has entered service in the Salisbury Class push tugs comply with federally mandated,

Northeast United States as the 20th Maryland-built tow- U.S Coast Guard-enforced Subchapter M safety standards.

ing vessel to join Vane Brothers’ ? eet since 2008. According to Vane Brothers president C. Duff Hughes,

Designed and constructed by Chesapeake Shipbuilding “Vane Brothers takes pride in providing our customers and shipbuilders and naval architects of Salisbury, Md., Vane’s crews with vessels constructed to the highest standards. The

Salisbury Class push tugs have a molded depth of only Charles Hughes is another powerful, peak-performing tug 10.5 feet, making them well suited for working in con- that maximizes maneuverability where it is needed most.” ? ned, shallow-draft waterways. To create the Salisbury Class design, Chesapeake naval

Capable of running speeds around 10.5 knots, the new architect John Womack worked in collaboration with Vane push tug is equipped with Caterpillar 3512 main engines, Brothers port captain Jim Demske, who has overseen con- conventional shafts, rudders and ? anking rudders. Each struction of 48 tugboats for Vane over the last two decades. main engine produces 1,500 hp at 1,800 rpm and is con- “Chesapeake has such a talented group of shipbuilders nected to stainless steel Hung Shen troost-style ? ve-blade right in our backyard,” Demske said. “Each tug capitalizes propellers through Twin Disc MGX-5600 gears with 6:1 on safety, comfort and productivity.” ratios. The vessel is also equipped with Fernstrum box The tug Charles Hughes is named in honor of the late coolers as well as 65-ton Patterson winches and JonRie In- Charles F. Hughes, former Vane Brothers Chairman of the terTech capstans. Board and the father of Vane’s current President, C. Duff

A roomy pilothouse features both Simrad and Furuno Hughes. A previous push tug Charles Hughes, built in electronics, as well as dual Rose Point electronic charting 1975 and rated at 1,800 horsepower, was acquired by Vane systems. Down below, the vessel accommodates up to sev- Brothers in 1991 and sold in 2019. The classic-looking en crewmembers in large private and semiprivate quarters. nameboards from the ? rst Charles Hughes were re? nished

The Charles Hughes’ three sister tugs, the Salisbury, and are now mounted on the new vessel.

58 | MN November 2022