Crescent takes Jensen designs

Crowley Maritime subsidiary, Jensen Maritime, is providing Crescent Towage of New Orleans with designs for two ASD type tugboats. The tugs are the fourth and fifth vessels Jensen has designed for Crescent, with the most recent design having been delivered in 2010

Improvements made in the latest designs include more horsepower and increased stability during the tugs’ operation. Additionally, a modified staple placement is expected to increase steering forces by approximately 30 per cent. To accommodate this increase, the tow point will be lowered and allowed to move further off centre, increasing stability in working modes. Increased brake tension on the bow winch will also accommodate the increased steering forces.

Crescent has specified the higher power rating for safety reasons, given the increasing size, tonnage and draft of the ships calling at the ports it services. The company has come to the conclusion that greater horsepower is needed to better control these ships “to avoid accidents and environmental casualties.”

The 70 tonnes bollard pull tugs, which will be built by Steiner Shipyard in Alabama, can operate in a variety of modes making them capable of towing, ship assist and escort duties. The vessels, outfitted with Tier 3 GE 8L250 main engines and Rolls-Royce US 255FP Z-drives, are scheduled for delivery in November 2015 and January 2016.

A rendering of Jensen's ASD tug design for Crescent Towing, scheduled for delivery in November 2015 and January 2016