Stork-Powered Tug/Supply Vessel Launched By Quality Shipyards

The first of Zapata Gulf Marine Corporation's "super-size" anchorhandling, tug/supply vessels, the Gulf Service, was launched recently at Quality Shipyards in Houma, La.

With an overall length of 222 feet, beam of 46 feet, and depth of 20 feet, the U.S.-flag vessel is one of the largest in the offshore marine service industry.

The new vessel's innovative "father/son" propulsion engine system features four Stork-Werkspoor diesels of two different sizes for maximum power, fuel efficiency, and reliability. The engines are SWDiesel's 8SW280, each developing 3,200 bhp at 1,000 rpm; and two 6SW280 models each developing 2,400 bhp at 1,000 rpm. When needed for heavy-duty anchor-handling and towing duties, the full output of 11,200 bhp will be used. During normal supply functions, the vessel will operate on only two engines, reducing fuel consumption to the equivalent of a 3,000-bhp supply vessel.

The vessel is fitted with controllable- pitch propellers in nozzles, and a 720-hp bow thruster powered by a Detoit Diesel 16V-92 engine.

Twin Becker rudders are operated independently for better maneuverability and station-keeping.

The Gulf Service is powered and equipped to moor new-generation semisubmersible rigs as far north as 60 degrees latitude in the Bering Sea. Certified to Ice Class A by the American Bureau of Shipping, she is built with special ice-strengthening said to exceed that of any other U.S.-flag, anchor-handling tug/supply vessel.

The anchor-handling system minimizes rig mooring time and enables the vessel to transfer the rig's mooring system. The vessel's system includes chain lockers and pendant storage reels, with the capacity to store more than 12,000 feet of 3-inch anchor chain and 12,000 feet of 21/2-inch pendant wire.

The towing winch is a Fritz-Culver low-pressure, hydraulic, doubledrum waterfall type, with 586,000 pounds of line pull at stall, and capacity for 5,900 feet of 21/2-inch cable on each drum. Other deck machinery includes two 10-ton, electro-hydraulic tuggers above deck and two 5-ton units below deck, and two 10-ton hydraulic capstans.

With a fleet of 325 vessels, Zapata Gulf Marine Corporation is the largest operator of oilfield service boats in the world. The Zapata fleet includes 89 tugs, 196 supply and tug/ supply boats, 18 barges, and 22 utility and crewboats. Zapata Gulf was formed in November 1984 through the consolidation of the marine service fleets and related assets of Zapata Marine Service, Gulf Fleet Marine Corporation, and Jackson Marine Corporation.

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