VESSEL REVIEW | Svitzer Arthur – Powerful tug for Svitzer’s Brazil operations

Svitzer Brazil recently took delivery of the first unit in a series of six ASD tugs to be built by compatriot company Estaleiro Rio Maguari.

The Robert Allan Ltd (RAL) designed Svitzer Arthur has an LOA of 23.2 metres, a moulded beam of 11.4 metres, a maximum draught of 5.5 metres, a gross tonnage of 300, and accommodations for a crew of six. Two MTU 16V4000M63 diesel engines driving Kongsberg Maritime US205S 2,800mm Z-drive propellers deliver a bollard pull of 71 tonnes and a free running speed of 13 knots.

RAL said the design is optimised for maximum efficiency in ship handling operations in harbours. The tug features a raised fo'c'sle deck to allow safer operations in heavier weather. Operational requirements are met with a single drum hawser winch from Ibercisa as well as heavy duty cylindrical fendering at the bow.

The ship handling fenders at the stern consist of a row of W fender. Sheer fendering consists of "D" rubber and "W" block type fendering at the bow.

The accommodations have been outfitted to a high standard for crew comfort. The deckhouse contains an entrance lobby with a public water closet, a galley, a mess, and one officer's cabin. The lower deck contains two double cabins and an additional officer's cabin. All crew cabins feature en suite water closets.

The wheelhouse is designed with a single split forward control station to allow a single operator to manoeuvre the tug safely even when facing aft. The wheelhouse itself provides maximum all-round visibility with exceptional visibility to the bow and side fendering, as well as operations on the forward deck.

Svitzer Arthur is designed to ABS' Unrestricted Navigation notation.

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