RAmpage 5000 Class offshore support tugs delivered to Groupe Bourbon
December 5, 2006
In November 2006 the second of two RAmpage 5000 Class offshore support tugs, the Bourbon Rhesos was delivered to its Owners, Groupe Bourbon of Marseilles, France. Bourbon Rhesos joined her sister Bourbon Rhode, which was delivered about three months ago from the builders Keppel Singmarine Ltd. of Singapore. The RAmpage 5000 Class tugs were designed by Robert Allan Ltd., Naval Architects of Vancouver, BC to respond to the demands of Owners for a large, powerful tug capable of supporting offshore terminal operations in more severe weather. These tugs are capable of the most severe towing duties, but are not as large and as complex as the larger classes of OSV’s and AHTS’s typically engaged in similar work. The Bourbon Rhode is presently working off West Africa.
The Bourbon vessels are of rugged all welded steel construction, with an extended forecastle deck, with a strongly raked, two level superstructure above, topped by a wheelhouse providing maximum all round visibility. The aft deck is equipped with crash rails for cargo, a stern gear arrangement suitable for heavy duty anchor handling, and has space to stow two standard ISO containers under shelter as additional support modules for diving or Oil Rec operations.
The tugs are built to BV Notation 1 ✠ Hull, ✠ MACH, Tug, Fire-Fighting Ship 1, Water Spraying, Unrestricted Navigation, ✠ AUT UMS, and are registered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Principal particulars of the Bourbon Rhesos and Bourbon Rhode are as follows:
| Length, overall Beam, moulded Depth, moulded Nominal operating draft Draft, loadline |
– 49.50 metres – 15.00 metres – 6.75 metres – 4.75 metres – 5.60 metres |
Propulsion machinery comprises a pair of MaK 9M25 diesel engines; each rated 2,970 kW at 750 rpm, driving a Schottel SRP 3030CP Z drive unit. This combination delivers a rated Bollard Pull of 100 tonnes, and a free running speed of 13.5 knots.
The tug is equipped to carry a reasonable amount of cargo fuel and potable water, as well as providing capacity of recovered oil and the foam and dispersants necessary to support its Fi Fi and Oil Rec designations.
Capacities are as follows:
| Deadweight at 5.60 metres Deck cargo capacity Deck strength rating Cargo deck area Fuel capacity Potable water capacity Fi-Fi Foam Dispersant Recovered oil |
– 1,270 tonnes – 200 tonnes – 5 T/m² – 210 m³ – 576 m³ – 128 m³ – 23 m³ – 26 m³ – 116 m³ |
The main towing winch is a double drum, “waterfall” style hydraulic winch supplied by Plimsoll. One drum is set up for towing operations, with 1,000 metres of 64 mm diameter steel wire rope towline. The other drum is set up for anchor handling, also with 1,000 metres of 64 mm diameter SWR. The brake capacities are 350 tonnes on each drum.
Other towing gear includes a 350 tonne rated shark jaw, 350 tonne rated towing pins, and a radial type two hook with a 120 tonne SWL rating. The transom is fitted with a 4.5 m x 2.3 m diameter stern roller, with a SWL rating of 200 tonnes. Two 5 tonne hydraulic capstans, two 10 tonne tugger winches, and a utility deck crane rated 2 tonnes at 15 metres complete the aft deck gear complement.
The RAmpage Series tugs differ from a typical AHTS with the additional role of tanker assistance. For this purpose, heavy duty fendering is fitted around the bow and a double drum hawser winch is installed forward, one side suitable for 350 metres of 64 mm steel wire hawser, and the other side sized for 250 metres of synthetic “Steelite” rope, 80 mm diameter. The brake capacity is rated 250 tonnes.
Each main engine drives a centrifugal fire pump, rated 1,500 m³/hr at 14 bar. These pumps serve two 1,200 m³/hr monitors mounted on the wheelhouse top, plus a self protection deluge system. A 23 m³ foam tank is served by two electrically driven foam pumps, rated 36 m³/hr.
For FPSO hose handling and servicing, the following are fitted:
- Hose drain sump, recessed into the deck
- 350 mm hose flushing connections served by fire-fighting pumps
Electrical power on these tugs is provided by two 250 kW diesel gen sets, and one 580 kW gen set, all with parallelling capability. An emergency gen set rated 94 kW is also fitted.
The Bourbon Rhode and Bourbon Rhesos are outfitted to the highest standards for a crew of up to 22 persons, with six single cabins and eight double cabins. All cabins include private en suite facilities except those on the lower deck. There is a spacious lounge/mess area, smoking and no smoking day rooms, a fully equipped modern galley with associated reefer stores, two designated office spaces, and a hospital. Below decks is a large Machinery Control Room overlooking the machinery space. All accommodation and control spaces are fully air conditioned.
The vessels are equipped with the latest in electronic nav aids to suit a GMDSS A3 notation. Since its introduction in 2004, the RAmpage 5000 Class of Offshore Support tugs has been very well received, with now three vessels in service, one under construction, and two under design development.
For further information on the RAmpage 5000 Class tugs, or any other high performance tug designs, please contact us.