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EUROPEAN UPDATE Same operator ... different solutions During 1996, three Aquamaster and two Voith type tugs are to be delivered to Howard Smith Towage & Salvage from Dutch and U.K. yards in a $27-million U.K. expansion program boost- ing services at the ports of Southampton and Felixstowe, and on the rivers Medway and Humber. So far, three vessels have been deliv- ered representing the two designs; both of which incorporate new features derived from the owner's extensive experience operating more than 130 tugs worldwide. Southampton's new vessel, Lyndhurst, was the first to arrive. Built at the McTay Marine yard on Merseyside, this 98.4 x 36.1-ft. (30 x 11- m), Voith Schneider propelled, Ruston diesel powered tractor tug follows five similarly con- figured vessels built by the yard for the same operator in 1990/91. An evolutionary process can, however, be detected. The most obvious visual change is a much higher sheer at the stern, designed to prevent the aft deck becom- ing awash when running astern at speed in escort mode. The aft fendering has also been dramatically improved and better wheelhouse visibility accomplished by modifying the layout and removing horizontal window bars. Power is provided by a pair of 1,500-kW Ruston 6RK 270 main engines, thus extending a close relationship between engine builder and operator. This current spate of newbuilds will bring the number of Ruston diesel equipped tugs in Howard Smith's fleet to 44. Each main engine has a Norgear step-up gearbox fitted to its free-end driving hydraulic systems for all the deck machinery, and a pair of Worthington (Continued on page 19) PROFITS UP AT VOSPER THORNYCROFT pensate for the cyclical nature of large ship orders and has reduced the break-even point in its ship- building activities while develop- ing a range of other business. Particular success has been achieved in the fields of naval training, career guidance and engi- neering services by participation in three major facilities manage- ment initiatives arising out of the British government's "Competing for Quality" and outsourcing pro- grams. In the warship building sector, the yard continues to trade well with Middle Eastern countries, with recent deliveries including the first of two corvettes for the Royal Navy of Oman in early April, and a first-of-class fast strike craft for the Qatar Emiri Navy in May. The corvette, described as a valu- able addition to VT's portfolio, is of common base design to ensure flexibility and lower costs. The hull form, with slight variations in length, has already been offered to other customers and can be used as a platform for a range of ships including light frigates and off- shore patrol vessels. VT Ship Sales Director Laurence Gandar described the 272.2-ft. (83-m) long steel SNV Qahir Al Amwaj (Conqueror of the Waves) as pow- erful and versatile, capable of extended offshore operations and providing both a defensive and offensive capability with state-of- the-art electronics and weapons systems. With speeds in excess of 25 knots in rough conditions, the vessel is particularly suited to the severe conditions of the Arabian Sea and the approaches to the Arabian Gulf through the Gulf of Oman. Accommodation has been provided for up to 79 officers although the ship is designed for operation with a complement of 60. Principal duties involve Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) patrol duties and oper- ational support activities, but fish- ery protection, anti-smuggling, search and rescue, disaster relief and pollution control tasks are also envisaged. Power is provided by four Crossley Pielstick medium speed 16-cylinder V diesels driving two cp propellers via reduction gear- boxes. Each machinery set oper- ates independently and one engine per shaft is sufficient to obtain speeds in excess of 20 knots. VT (Continued on page 18) ASTANO ASTANDER CADIZ P.O. BOX 994 15080 Ferrol La Coruna - Spain Tel. (3481) 34 3211 Fax (3481) 34 3252 P.O. BOX 10 39080 El Astillero Cantabria - Spain Tel. (3442) 54 0050 Fax (3442) 54 0026 P.O. BOX 39 11080 Cadiz Spain Tel. (3456) 27 3350 Fax (3456) 27 8362 A STILLER0S ESPANOLES August, 1996 Circle 210 on Reader Service Card 17
