Germany’s Schottel will provide rudder propellers for the Royal Canadian Navy’s new ship handling tugs ordered from Ocean Industries Inc.
Two tugs are to be delivered to the major Canadian naval base in Esquimalt, British Columbia, and two more to the base in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The first two tugs are scheduled to be delivered in 2021, and the remaining ones in 2023.
Known as the naval large tug (NLT) project, the new IMO Tier III vessels are based on the Robert Allan Ltd. RAmparts 2400 design.
Each of the four ASD tugs will feature two 1,860 kW rudder propellers type SRP 430 FP with fixed pitch propellers measuring 2.40 m in diameter. The azimuth thrusters will be driven by diesel engines. This configuration will achieve an expected bollard pull of 60 tonnes and a free-running speed of approximately 12 knots.
The principal characteristics of the SRP derive from the combination of propulsion and azimuth steering. There is consequently no need for a rudder, and the engine power is optimally converted into thrust. The 360° rotation of the rudder propeller means that the full input power is available for manoeuvring.
These new tugs will provide towing, firefighting and other critical support services to both the Atlantic and Pacific Maritime Forces. Each tug will have an LOA of 24.4 metres, a moulded beam of 11.25 metres and a draught of 5.40 metres along with space for a crew of six. The vessels will also have a secondary firefighting capability.
The naval large tug project is intended to replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s 5 civilian-crewed Glen-class large tugs and the 2 Fire-class rescue boats. These vessels currently operate in Her Majesty’s Canadian (HMC) Dockyard Halifax in Nova Scotia and HMC Dockyard Esquimalt in British Columbia.