With larger ships now calling in at many East Coast ports, tugboat operators have responded by building more powerful azimuthing stern drive (ASD) tugboats that are more capable of safely docking, undocking and escorting the massive vessels.
Answering the call, Tony and Alex Savas, owners of Petchem Inc., had Christine S built for the company’s Port Canaveral, Fla.,fleet. Boasting 72.5 tons of bollard pull, the 5,000-hp, 80-foot tug packs abundant power for its size.
“It’s crazy nice, that boat,” said Alex Savas. “Everyone in the port is fascinated by the boat and I get nothing but good comments. It’s the most powerful permanent tug in the port.”
The new vessel, named for Tony’s daughter, is the first ASD tug in Petchem’s fleet. It replaces the original Christine S, a 96-foot utility boat with which the company began operations in Port Canaveral in 1983.
The Savas brothers landed a Navy contract in 1984 and added submarine fendering to their fledgling fleet of two older conventional tugs. The original Christine S was assigned the task of transferring submarine personnel. In 2004, after securing a permit to compete with Seabulk Towing in Port Canaveral, Petchem hired Farrell & Norton Naval Architects of Newcastle, Maine, and B&B Boat Builders of Bayou La Batre, Ala., to design and build the conventional tugs Elizabeth S and Michael S. Both were equipped for ship-assist work with a forward H-bitt but no winch.
To rationalize building a new tug with z-drive propulsion and a bow winch, Petchem sold Michael S to Mohawk Northeast of Groton, Conn. Mohawk, primarily a marine construction company, shortened the name to Michael. It also equipped the tug with a JonRie Inter Tech Series 515 towing winch.
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Bu hikaye Professional Mariner dergisinin American Tugboat Review 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
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