Tacoma Boat To Build Four Voith Schneider Equipped Tugs For Foss Launch

Foss Launch & Tug Co., Seattle, Wash., announced recently the signing of a contract agreement with Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Tacoma, for the construction of four tractor tugs of a new design.

The contract provides options for an additional two tugs.

Three of the new tugs will be used in ship assist, harbor shifting and ship escort work in Tacoma, Seattle, and North Puget Sound. The fourth tug will be used in southern California by Pacific Towboat & Salvage, Long Beach. Both Foss and Pacific Towboat are divisions of Dillingham C o r p o r a t i o n ' s maritime group.

Bruce Robeson, president of Foss, stated that a Voith Schneider propulsion system was selected to meet specific operating requirements, especially those of tanker escort and large vessel docking assist. The tugs' propulsion system will produce thrust in any desired direction and they will be able to proceed forward or back without reversing engines during the maneuver.

The tugs are designed to move sideward or be brought to a com- plete stop while going full ahead within a distance of approximately their length. In addition, they will be able to turn in a circle of not more than their own length.

The new twin-engine tractor tugs will be rated at 3,000 hp and 4,000 hp. The 3,000-hp tugs will have a length of 100 feet, a beam of 36 feet and a draft of 16 feet, and will be powered by two GMEMD 12-cylinder E-6 diesel engines.

The 4,000-hp tugs will have a length of 106 feet, a beam of 38 feet and a draft of 17 feet, and will be powered by two GM-EMD 16-cylinder E-6 diesel engines.

The conceptual design of the new Foss tractor tugs was a combination of efforts by Foss management and L.R. Glosten & Associates, naval architects. Foss expects the new tugs will begin entering service by mid-1982.

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