In Europe, triple-screw propulsion systems are rare in tugs, other than large inland waterways pusher tugs. In the USA a triple-screw configuration is also to be found in more conventional tugs used extensively in shallow waters.
A recent example is the Sea Cypress completed in March by Rodriguez Shipbuilding Inc, of Bayou LaBatrem, Alabama.
The Rodriguez yard has probably delivered more shallow-draft tugs than any other US yard. Their signature ‘lugger’ type tug design, with its distinctive aft cabin and wheelhouse, has a strong following amongst US Gulf Coast operators servicing near shore petro-operations. Sea Cypress is built to a design by yard owner Joseph Rodriguez and is a very similar vessel to the SeaOak delivered to Garber Bros. in 2007.
The 22.86m long vessel, with a beam of 7.92m ‘model bow’, was completed for the Morgan City based Garber Bros Inc and Sea Cypress LLC. The superstructure, located forward on the beamy hull, suggests a tug with a conventional ‘G M’ (metacentric height). It is what is below the water line that will matter to the owner and charterers. The triple-screw configuration allows the vessel to maintain a shallow 3.05m moulded depth and, depending on load conditions, operate with as little as 2.44m draft.
Sea Cypress is powered by three 660bhp - EPA Tier 3 compliant, electronically controlled, six-cylinder Cummins QSK19 marine diesels developing a total of nearly 2000bhp. Each engine turns a fixed pitch propeller via Twin Disc MGX5222 6:1 ratio gearboxes .
Dedicated tanks are provided to hold 37,000 gallons of fuel, 6,700 gallons of water and 300 gallons of lube oil. Electrical needs are be met a pair of 45kW auxiliary generators.
Unlike the earlier vessel Sea Oak, this latest tug has an elevated aluminum wheelhouse giving the ‘tugmaster’ an eye level view of approximately 11.6m above the waterline. Accommodation is provided for a crew of six with all the usual facilities.
Deck equipment from ‘SMATCO’ enables the tug to undertake both towing and pushing, and included a ‘waterfall’ type winch for anchor handling or towing. The winch on the after deck also allows this versatile tug to ‘make-up’ to barges for pushing by way of a bridle running through stern deck and side deck rollers.
Operating from their base in Morgan City, Garber Bros Inc has been a leading provider of marine transportation services for the offshore oil and gas industry for over 55 years. The company’s skilled employees are dedicated to building long-lasting, professional relationships with clients and providing save and efficient operations.
By Jack Gaston
