Harley Marine names second RAmparts 2400 after influential wife of founder
August 10, 2015
In June 2015, Harley Marine Services (HMS) took delivery of the second “enhanced” RAmparts 2400, christened the Lela Franco. Designed by Robert Allan Ltd. and built by Diversified Marine Inc. (DMI) in Portland, Oregon, the new tug is a sister ship to the Michelle Sloan delivered earlier this year. Named after another strong female influence to the HMS organization, the Lela Franco is named in honour of the wife of founder Harley Franco, who helped shape the company’s core values, commitment to the environment and the design of the new and significant HMS world headquarters in Seattle, WA.
The Lela Franco is the sixth tractor tug HMS has added to its fleet in under two years, improving its ship assist and tanker escort capability and bringing more horsepower to the US West Coast. Like its twin sister the Michelle Sloan, it is an enhancement of HMS tugs the Tim Quigg and John Quigg, built in 2004 also by DMI. These enhanced designs developed by Robert Allan Ltd. feature a wider hull, increased Bollard Pull performance, improved crew accommodations, and a modified skeg.
Particulars of the Lela Franco are as follows:
| Length overall: Beam, moulded, extreme: Depth, moulded (hull): Maximum draft: Gross Tonnage: |
– 80’-0” – 36’-0” – 16’-8” – 17’-5” – < 200 GRT (US Tonnage) |
The tug was designed and constructed to satisfy all applicable Rules and Regulations of USCG and meet or exceed the minimum scantling requirements of any Classification Society. Tank capacities are as follows:
| Fuel Oil: Potable Water: Main Engine Lube Oil: Sludge Tank: Grey Water: Emergency Black Water: |
– 32,800 Gals. – 2,900 Gals. – 410 Gals. – 890 Gals. – 830 Gals. – 275 Gals. |
Trials results were as follows:
| Average/Maximum | |
| Bollard Pull, ahead: Bollard Pull, astern: Free running speed, ahead: |
– 69.0/71.3 Short tons – 65.4/67.4 Short tons – 12.5 knots |
The vessel has been outfitted to the highest standards for a normal operating crew of 2, with accommodations for up to six persons. The Master’s cabin is located on the main deck, with two additional double crew cabins located on the lower accommodation deck. There is also a galley and mess room located on the main deck.
The deck machinery comprises a Markey DEPC-48 render-recover type ship assist hawser winch on the bow, spooled with 500’ of 9” line, and a Markey DEPC-32 towing winch aft with a capacity of 250’ of 6-1/2” line. In addition, a capstan is installed on the fore deck to facilitate line handling operations.
The raised forecastle and elevated wheelhouse ensure good all-round visibility of the working decks and when handling large barges with high freeboard. This higher freeboard feature also provides a high standard of sea-keeping when working in exposed waters, but is also configured so as not to impede the ability of the tug to work closely under the flare of the newer generation of large ships.
Main propulsion for each tug comprises a pair of CAT 3516C diesel engines, each rated 2,575 bhp at 1600 rpm, and each driving a Rolls-Royce US 205 Z-drive unit, with a 94.5” diameter fixed pitch propeller.
The electrical plant consists of two (2) identical CAT C6.6 diesel gen-sets, each with a power output of 125 ekW, 60 Hz.
Ship-handling fenders at the bow consist of one tier of 36” OD x 18” ID cylindrical fender at the main deck level, with 12” loop type Schuyler fenders between the main deck and the knuckle, 11” laminated bow fenders below, and 12” hollow D style fenders along the stem and skeg. Tires and 8” hollow “D” fender provide protection at the main and forecastle sides and sheer lines, and 12” loop type fendering is used at the stern.
For more information on the Lela Franco, the RAmparts 2400 Class tugs, or on any other high- performance vessel designs developed by Robert Allan Ltd., please contact design@ral.ca.
