Newest Bulkfleet Marine Tug Is Powered By MaK Diesels

The largest tugboat ever built in the United States to run on heavy fuel oil was completed and christened recently at McDermott Shipyards' Morgan City Division in Bayou Boeff, La. The 140-foot, twin-screw Valiant (shown above) was built for Houston-based Bulkfleet Marine Corporation. She was christened by Mrs. Audrey Brown, wife of James N. Brown, manager, marine operations, Gulf Oil Corporation. Contracted to Gulf Oil, the new tug will push the 28,000-dwt oil barge Bulkfleet Pennsylvania along the U.S. East Coast.

About 60 percent of the tugboat's length will be inserted and locked in the stern notch of the barge, forming an integrated unit with an overall length of 502 feet, beam of 84 feet, depth of 42 feet, and draft of 32 feet. The unmanned barge is equipped with four Goulds deepwell cargo pumps, each rated at 4,500 gpm at 125 psi; the pumps are driven bv GM Detroit Diesel Allison 16V-71T engines.

The 192-gt Valiant is powered by twin Krupp MaK 6M155AK diesel engines, each with maximum continuous rating of 4.000 bhp (2,940 kw) at 425 rpm. They are designed to operate on fuel as heavy as 1,500 sec. Redwood, as well as regular diesel oil.

These medium-speed engines drive two 14-foot, 4-bladed propellers through Lohmann and Stolterfoht 3:1 reduction gears.

The 14-inch propeller shafts are supported in Cutless® water-lubricated, rubber-lined bearings.

The engine controls were supplied by WABCO under subcontract from MaK; a 48-point monitoring system was provided by Marine Electric. Electrical power is supplied by two 300-kw KATO generators driven by Detroit Diesel 12V-71T engines. The hydraulice steering system is by Sperry.

Markey supplied the towing winch and capstan; the winch is powered by a Detroit Diesel 8V-71 engine. Other equipment includes Alpha Laval heat exchangers, Westfalia separators, and a full array of electronic gear for navigation and communications.

Designed by Design Associates of New Orleans, the Valiant has a beam of 43 feet, depth of 22 feet, and draft of 20 feet. She is classed + A-l Unlimited Ocean Towing Service by the American Bureau of Shipping.

McDermott Shipyards, with shipbuilding and repair facilities in Morgan City (Bayou Boeff) and New Iberia, La. and Gulfport, Miss., is a subsidiary of McDermott Incorporated of New Orleans, a leading international energy services company. Bulkfleet Marine Corporation is a dynamic young company headed by J. Barry Snyder, president.

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.