by
Your MET Staff | Monday, September 1, 2014 |
Signet Maritime Corporation has just taken ownership of its ninth,
newly-constructed tractor tug in six years. The tug, Signet Arcturus, is a 105-foot by 38-foot Z-Drive, which was designed
by Robert Allan Ltd. in Vancouver, BC. The tug was delivered on May 25th by Patti Marine Enterprises
of Pensacola, FL.
Signet Arcturus gets its power from two Caterpillar model C175-16
engines, each of which is rated 3417 BHP at 1800 RPM. Those engines are paired to two Rolls-Royce
US 255 CP azimuth thrusters using carbon fiber shafting, and providing the
thrust for ABS-certified, sustained bollard pull of over 83 metric tonnes. All main and generator engines on the vessel
are US EPA Tier 3-certified for lower emissions.
Said Joseph Dahl, Vice President of Signet Maritime, “This
technologically advanced new build complements Signet’s offshore towing, rig
escort and subsea expansion . . . Bundling the controllable pitch propeller
(CPP) tractor technology with the brute strength of SIGNET WARHORSE tugs will
provide our customers the best of both worlds in strength and agility.”
The new tug will be
joined by Signet Polaris, a second ocean towing tractor tug that is scheduled
for delivery near the end of June from Patti Marine. Both vessels will be based at the company’s
Ocean Towing Division in Port Fourchon, LA, for service to the offshore energy
industry.
With the addition of
these two tugs, Signet’s Offshore Towing Division increases its fleet to
movements from harbor to offshore throughout the Gulf of Mexico region.
Signet Maritime
Corporation, established in 1976, is an international marine transportation and
logistics services company. Signet
specializes in towing, cargo handling, tugboat services, ship management, and
vessel design. They concentrate on the
markets of the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East. Headquartered in Houston, TX, the company
also has locations in Ingleside, TX; Brownsville, TX; Pascagoula, MS; Port
Fourchon, LA; Morgan City, LA; and internationally in Dubai.