Jensen Maritime Consultants, the Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering subsidiary of Crowley Maritime Corp., has been awarded the contract to design ship assist and escort tugboats for Moran Towing Corp., a New Canaan, Conn., tug-and-barge operator on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. The new boats will be the latest in a series of seven Jensen-designed tugboats for Moran over the past decade.

New features on the tugboats include upgrades to meet the latest ABS regulations and U.S. Coast Guard subchapter M regulations, as well as meeting U.S. EPA Tier IV requirements. The upgrades will ensure the vessels meet current and future demands for performance and maneuverability, and that piping and electrical systems are consistent with Moran’s larger fleet of tugs and barges.

“Jensen’s team is pleased to continue our long-standing work for Moran, designing tugs that meet high standards for maneuverability while delivering compact power in highly capable vessels,” said Jensen’s Bryan Nichols, director, business development. “We look forward to contributing to the success of the Moran ship assist and escort fleet.”

At 86 feet long and 36 feet wide, Jensen designed this series of tugboats to provide the performance needed for ship assist and escort work on the East and Gulf Coasts. Equipped with two Caterpillar 3512E, EPA Tier IV engines with 2,550 horsepower each, and Rolls Royce Z-drive propulsion units, the tugs each deliver more than 5,000 horsepower. The boats offer bollard pull of 68 short tons.

A deep skeg forward is included in the design for escort work, but the skeg will remain open at the aft end to allow for better maneuverability. The skeg also provides for a more stable platform when underway, minimizing rolling due to the seaway. Each boat has a depth of 15 feet, 10 inches.

A Markey escort hawser winch will be installed forward, and a Markey H-bitt and hydraulic capstan will be installed for aft towing and line handling.

Additionally, large-machinery removal hatches are provided on the main deck and deck house to allow for easy removal of equipment from the engine room. Berths for six crew members will be installed in four comfortable staterooms.

The tugs will be constructed at the Washburn & Doughty Shipyard of East Boothbay, Maine.