Rotortugs have finally come to the U.S. after operating in other parts of the world for some time. Master Boat Builders, Bayou La Batre, Ala., delivered the first of three new 98’6″×43’6″×15’7″ Robert Allan Ltd. (RAL)-designed Advanced Rotortug (ART 80-98US) tugs to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Seabulk Towing in January. Seabulk is a unit of SEACOR Holdings Inc.
The new tugs feature triangular propulsion designed to deliver optimum maneuverability. “We went to [Robert Allan] specifically for the Rotortug concept and they met our needs for the U.S. marketplace,” said Anthony Caggiano, Seabulk’s senior marketing manager.
With a draft of 18’6″, the ART tugs Trident and Triton (the third tug is unnamed) are scheduled to work out of U.S. Gulf and Florida East Coast ports. Trident is currently working at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. The Triton is set for delivery in June and the final tug will be delivered to Seabulk in late October.
Seabulk’s ARTs are designed to bring maximum maneuverability and enhanced safety in escorting LNG tankers and other high-demand applications to the U.S. market.
Read the full article written by Ken Hocke on WorkBoat’s website here.