The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft, je
Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/102792
Specialised tools at the ready In the lazarette Note the oil filled stern tubes Comfortable accommodation tonnes ahead, with a couple of sneaky tonnes still up her sleeve if the skipper wanted to put the hammer down in an emergency. The impressive bit is the 14 tonnes she pulls with relative ease astern, once again, reinforcing the value of the nozzles and directional thrust. This makes for a very powerful, lively vessel that can be used with fingertip control. Not only is she nimble in confined spaces, when steaming and steering by one nozzle only, she remains very positive to the helm. ShipCo also designed and built the PT Mary's fenders, a 1.1m-wide sweep of double-loop tyres 500mm deep around the bow and extending to the for'ard shoulders. These fenders make excellent energy absorbers and have good holding ability. The towing winch is powered by a 37kW electric motor via an ABB variable-speed drive, designed by MID and built by ShipCo.The drum diameter is 610mm and the winch capacity is 550m of 32mm-diameter wire in six layers. A level winding system ensures the drum packs tight with no riding turns to weaken the wire. An emergency controlled quick release control, is provided at speeds of 48m to 88m per minute, although to meet Australian rules a 35 tonne safe working load rotating-type hook with hydraulic quick release has also been installed. This is where the most significant change happened, in that the towing hook has been moved from the port foot of the main towing winch to a lower central towing point, where the 35 tonne safe working load rotatingtype hook with hydraulic quick release, has now been installed. The transom incorporates a unique system of a wire control with towing pins and hold down lug, forward of 52 NZ WORKBOAT REVIEW 2013 a stern roller.The pins are electric/hydraulic in operation with three separate pins, plus the hold-down lug, all operated from the winch station. The wire hold-down lug may be folded up or down hydraulically. Once locked in the grab position, the lug and pins maintain total control of the wire at the transom, eliminating yawing in a seaway. Meanwhile, for'ard on the fo'c'sle, is a hydraulically driven vertical-type 500mm diameter waist capstan giving a five tonne pull at 20m per minute using a footoperated switch. Slightly to starboard is the main anchor and cable winch, which incorporates both chain and wire on a hydraulically powered drum. On the bow, a large double-staghorn bollard incorporates the hauling fairlead or staple. When a line is hooked onto the bollard or led back to the capstan for hauling and power is applied astern, this little beast of a tug just lifts her bum and delivers more power astern than many of her similar cousins can muster ahead. It is interesting to note the eco-friendly stuff associated with refuelling and pump-outs. A central protected fill and discharge station is on the deck alongside the main towing winch. On entering the wheelhouse, the main conning position affords clear vision, with only the funnel casings obstructing some of the quarter view. The second and main winch control is between the exhaust stacks, while a third conning position is up top on the monkey island for when working close and personal with barges. The absence of a ship's wheel that can hard for old salts to get their head around. In its place, are two toggle levers for port or starboard helm may be used independently, giving the master a high level of manoeuvrability at his fingertips.