VESSEL REVIEW | Safi-14 – Turkey’s Safi Maritime takes delivery of locally-built ship handling and firefighting tug

Sanmar Shipyards of Turkey has delivered a new tug to local operator Safi Maritime Services.

The custom-built Safi-14 was designed by Canadian naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd in compliance to ABS rules and will be used for both ship handling and general towing duties at Safi International Port in north-western Turkey. It is the fifth Sanmar-built tug to be delivered to Safi Maritime Services.

The newbuild has an LOA of 25.3 metres, a moulded beam of 12 metres, moulded depth of 4.46 metres, and a draught of approximately 6.55 metres. Tank capacities include 83.9 cubic metres of fuel oil and 12.3 cubic metres of fresh water.

Two Caterpillar 3516C high-speed, electronically controlled diesel engines that each produce 2,100 kW at 1,600 rpm deliver a bollard pull of 74 tonnes and a speed of more than 12 knots. Power for the onboard systems is supplied by two Caterpillar C4.4 99ekW generators. Special care has been given to resilient mount all engines and essential equipment including hydraulic pipes to ensure sound levels are according to  the requirements of flag authorities.

The hull and appendage configuration has been extensively model tested and analysed with the aid of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) capability to optimise directional stability both while sailing ahead and astern without compromising manoeuvrability.

Ship handling and towing duties are performed using a DMT double drum winch and dual aperture staple combination off the aft main deck. Heavy duty cylindrical fendering envelops the stern bulwark, with an additional row of "W" type fenders on the hull below. The cylindrical fender extends quite far forward and ties into "D" type fenders along the sheer line, ensuring adequate contact area with an assisted ship while working off the hip.

The wheelhouse is designed for maximum 360-degree visibility from the main console. The main engine exhaust stacks have been routed in areas of natural blind spots, such as the door frame and window mullions, to reduce visibility obstructions around the wheelhouse perimeter. Overhead windows and a rotating mast allow for overhead visibility and the ability to undertake operations under the flare of a ship.

The deckhouse includes a wet room when entering off the main working deck, and access into the engine room below. This space is separated from the galley and mess for noise reduction. Forward of the mess and galley are the master and chief engineer cabins, complete with individual water closet units and a spacious floor area in excess of eight square metres. The lower deck includes two double crew cabins with individual water closets as well as a laundry room. The flooring in the accommodation spaces consists of IMO-approved teak-imitating material.

All accommodation is HVAC-equipped, located above the waterline, and in full compliance with MLC 2006 requirements.

The tug also has Fifi1 firefighting capability, with one main fire pump driven through a clutched flexible coupling aft of one of the main engines to produce approximately 2.700 cubic metres of water per hour. The pump supplies water to two monitors fitted just aft of the wheelhouse.

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