P&R Water Taxi built its first Tiger tugboat in 90 days in 2002 after winning a U.S. Navy ship-assist contract in Pearl Harbor. The Honolulu-based company built 10 more over the next nine years as its Navy contracts and ship-assist work took off.
Almost two decades later, the original Tiger design has evolved into a nimbler ship-assist platform optimized for Hawaii’s commercial ports. P&R built Tiger 21 and Tiger 22 at its shipyard in Kewalo Basin, located just a few miles west of Waikiki Beach. Company founder and owner Charlie Pires collaborated with Stoddard Marine Design of Hilo, Hawaii, on the design.
Tiger 21 and Tiger 22 are essentially next-generation versions of the original 94-foot Tiger tugs Pires and Stoddard developed in 2002. The two series have plenty in common, including the twin Caterpillar 3516 main engines. There are also differences: The new tugs are about 20 feet shorter than their predecessors, and they lack the stern winches and off-ship firefighting equipment that came standard on tugs working in Pearl Harbor.
Capt. Curtis Iaukea, who operates Tiger 21, said the vessels are powerful and agile, particularly when moving side to side. “It’s great for assist work because you can stay at the 90,” he said, referring to keeping the tug’s bow at a 90-degree angle relative to a ship’s hull. “You can hold that position longer.”
Hawaii’s ship pilots are glad to have Tiger 21 and Tiger 22. Tom Heberle, president of the Hawaii Pilots Association, called them a welcome addition to Hawaii’s fleet of ship-assist tugboats.
This story is from the American Tugboat Review 2020 edition of Professional Mariner.
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This story is from the American Tugboat Review 2020 edition of Professional Mariner.
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