DAMEN INTRODUCES NEW SUSTAINABLE PUSHER TUG

The newly developed versatile inland vessel Damen Riverbuster 1909 is developed to operate at inland and coastal waters in a wide variety of deployments such as towing, barge handling, marine construction and dredging support.

The Riverbuster 1909 provides state-of-the-art solutions for new European emission standards and noise regulations. Recently, the European Stage V non-road emission standards have come into effect, as well as new crew comfort (noise) regulations.

The Riverbuster 1909 is intended to be a fully configurable, modular platform, which can be fitted out with project-specific equipment such as forward and rear towing or anchor handling winches, two sets of hydraulic tugger winches, several deck crane options, two sets of 20-foot container twist locks, hydraulic towing pins, and a foldable A-frame for plough dredging.

The wheelhouse is hydraulically lifted to enable a viewing height of 11 metres. Still, the vessel remains very compact with a shallow draught of only 1.75 metres and an air draught of 4.20 metres, which allows the Riverbuster to reach almost any inland destination.

The vessel’s aft skeg allows for complete groundings, opening opportunities for close dredging assistance.

Adding to vessel versatility, several diesel-direct and diesel-electric thruster options can be chosen, driven by either Volvo Penta or MAN Rollo engines, offering power ranging between 750 and 1500 kW – which generate 12.5 to 25 tonnes bollard pull.

Fully-electric propulsion by means of swappable battery containers on deck is also an option available, allowing for zero-emission transport along fixed routes.