Commercial Mariner - Tugs & Towage

VESSEL REVIEW | Jamie Ann – Tanker escort and ship-assist tug for Los Angeles/Long Beach ports

Alex Baird

The Jamie Ann, the first of four new tugs constructed by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders for the Saltchuk family of companies, has arrived in her new homeport of Long Beach.

Powerful enough to escort the largest tankers and container ships calling on ports on the US West Coast, Jamie Ann will serve Foss Maritime's customers in the Ports of LA/Long Beach area.

"There is an increased need for larger tugs capable of safely escorting the massive containerships and tankers calling on US ports today," Janic Trepanier, Foss Maritime Project Manager told Baird Maritime. "Bigger ships require an increased bollard pull, that and the increased environmental requirements in the ports of California were the basis of the new build program."

Two of the tugs will be stationed in Los Angeles/Long Beach, and the other two will be in San Francisco Bay. Their daily duties will primarily be to provide escort and assist services to the large tankers and container ships calling on the ports.

"The existing Foss fleet is currently able to service all of our customer's needs," added Trepanier, "but with new terminal requirements for higher horsepower and bollard pull tugs, along with some container ships now requiring four tugs to dock, Foss decided to grow and modernise our fleet with a more powerful tug that also meets the stringent California emissions standards."

Along with her 6,866 horsepower (5,120 kilowatts), the Jamie Ann was built to the most stringent emission standards. Her two MTU Tier 4 engines meet the US EPA's highest standards, reducing particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions to near zero through a selective catalytic reduction system.

The tugs are equipped with two MTU Series 4000 Tier 4 main engines paired with Kongsberg US255 Z-drives, which enable Jamie Ann to easily exceed 90 short tons (82 tonnes) on both the ahead and astern bollard pull. Both the MTU and Kongsberg systems are closely monitored through a condition monitoring system.

The vessel's upgraded safety features are equally impressive and focus on crew safety on deck, winch operations and sound abatement in the engine room and staterooms. She also features a tow winch, improved wheelhouse visibility and lower maintenance costs.

The Jamie Ann can perform offshore rescue towing operations. A large double drum Markey towing winch was installed on the aft deck with a capacity of 2,600 feet (790 metres) of 2.25-inch (5.7 cm) wire and 440 feet (134 metres) of seven-inch (18 cm) Samson Amsteel Blue. Jamie Ann is outfitted with an anchor pocket and a Coastal Marine Equipment anchor windlass.

The electronics setup is standard to the Foss fleet and designed to ensure that the vessel and crew are operating within the most efficient and safe conditions.

The crew comfort and safety were at the forefront during the construction process. Foss increased the acoustic insulation in the engine room; added an acoustic enclosure on the hotel generator; included built-in bulwark doors on port and starboard for man overboard retrieval and safer boarding; and all winch controls are located in the pilothouse.

Foss also increased the fuel capacity to 72,500 gallons (275 cubic metres), which allows Jamie Ann to perform the offshore rescue towing. She is also outfitted with a 900 gallon/minute (3,400 litres/minute) fire monitor.

Jamie Ann's three sisters, the Sarah Averick, Leisa Florence, and Rachael Allen, are due for delivery later this year.

Jamie Ann
SPECIFICATIONS
Type of vessel:Harbor tug
Classification:ABS Load Line A1 Towing Vessel A1 Escort Vessel AMS UWILD
Owner:Foss Maritime, USA
Designer:Jensen Maritime, USA
Builder:Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, USA
Construction material:Steel
Length overall:103' 9" (31.6 metres)
Registered length:100' (30.5 metres)
Beam overall:40' (12.2 metres)
Registered beam:40' (12.2 metres)
Moulded depth:17' (5.2 metres)
Minimum draught:15' 11" (4.8 metres)
Maximum draught:19' 6" (5.9 metres)
Minimum height:44' 4" (13.5 metres)
Maximum height:47' 11" (14.6 metres)
Displacement:753 LT (765 tonnes)
Registered GT:<200
ITC GT:415
Main engines:2 x MTU 16V4000M65L Tier 4, each 3,433 hp (2,560 kW) @ 1,800 rpm
Propulsion:2 x Rolls Royce US255 P30 Z-Drives
Generator:2 x John Deere 6068AFM85, each 120 kWe (150 kVA)
Bollard pull:90 ST (83 tonnes)
Anchor gear:1,000 lb (450 kg) with 450' (137 metres) of 7/8" (2.2 cm) chain
Bow winch:Markey DEPCF‐52R
Bow line:750' (230 metres) of 10" (25 cm) circ. synthetic
Tow winch:Markey DEPC‐32 (escort) or TESS‐34AS (emergency towing)
Tow wire:2,500' (760 metres) of 2.25" (5.7 cm) dia. wire
Barge line:450' (140 metres) of 6.5" (16.5 cm) circ. polylin
Fuel capacity:68,900 gallons (260 m3)
Accommodation:8
Crew:6