Innovation and Diversity

in Marine Design

Technical Papers

Many of the staff of Robert Allan Ltd. have published in-depth technical papers for Conferences or for major industry publications, including several major textbooks. These cover a wide variety of topics including ship safety, ship design or advances in design technology. Not all of these papers are available for public distribution, but if you wish a copy of any of those papers which are available, please contact: info@ral.ca.


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Vessel Type

Barges
Ships in general
Tugs

Category

Design
General
Safety
Specific
Systems

RAL Author

Allan Turner
Andra Papuc
Bart Stockdill
Brendan Smoker
Derek Noon
Hans Muhlert
Jody Bjerkeset
Ken Harford
Miao Ye
Mike Phillips
Mike Shives
Norbert Schumacher
Oscar Lisagor
Robert F. Allan
Robert G. Allan
Robert Gage
Robin Stapleton
Scott Newbury
Todd Barber
Vince de Hertog
Xuhui (Bill) Hu

2022

The Effects of Alternative Fuels on the Design of Harbour and Escort Tugs

by: Robert Gage, P.Eng.
for: ITS

2021

Offshore Fendering System for Ship-handling Tugs

by: Norbert Schumacher, P.Eng.
for: TugTechnology

2020

The Development of the First i-Tug

by: Xuhui (Bill) Hu, P.Eng., Miao Ye, P.Eng., Yuping Liu, Jie Yi
for: ITS

2020

Modern Approaches to Workboat Design

by: Vince den Hertog, P.Eng.
for: The Journal of Ocean Technology

2020

Is There a Battery Electric Tug in Your Future?

by: Mike Phillips, P.Eng., Robin Stapleton, P.Eng.
for: TugTechnology

2019

Escort Tug Safety: Accounting for Dynamic Scenarios in Design and Operations

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng., Vince den Hertog, P.Eng., Scott Newbury, P.Eng. , Mike Shives, Ph.D., Brendan Smoker, P.Eng.
for: Tugnology

2018

The Evolution of Tug Design through ITS Eyes

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: ITS

2018

Collaborative Efforts Create the Innovative RAstar 4000-DF Dual Fuel Escort Tug for Challenging Charterer Requirements

by: Todd Barber, P.Eng., Allan Turner, P.Eng.
for: ITS

2018

A Risk Profile for Escorted Tankers and Their Resistance to Collision Damage

by: Robert G Allan, P.Eng., FEC, FRINA, FSNAME, Iain Braidwood, C.Eng., Ph.D, MRINA, MSNAME
for: RINA

2017

Stern Flow Stabilisation to Improve Directional Stability of Tugs with Low Length-to-Beam Ratios

by: Bart Stockdill, Brendan Smoker
for: Tugnology 2017

2016

The State of Tug Safety Today

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: ITS 2016

2016

Revolutionary RAmora Brings Tele-operated Capability to Ship-handling Tugs

by: Vince den Hertog, Oscar Lisagor, Robin Stapleton, Chris Kaminski
for: ITS 2016

2016

Promises Fulfilled – An Newly Completed Tug Fleet Expansion Programme for Tianjin Port

by: Junkui Xiong, Xuhui (Bill) Hu
for: ITS 2016

2015

The Carrousel-RAVE Tug – Design Development of a Unique High-Performance Ship Assist/Escort tug

by: Oscar Lisagor, Andra Papuc, Dirk Juergens, Leendert Muller
for: Tugnology 2015

2014

Improving Towing Safety in Supply Vessels and Anchor-Handling Tugs

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: ITS Conference

2013

Escort Tug Performance Prediction Using CFD

by: Brendan Smoker, Bart Stockdill
for: Tugnology 2013

2013

A Retrospective Look at Technological Developments in the BC Towing Industry: 1959-1979

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: B.C. Towboat Owners Association Conference

2012

The ART 85-35 Class Offshore Support Rotor®tug Fleet for Port Hedland, Australia

by: Robert G. Allan, Jan van Kasteren
for: ITS 2012 Conference, Spain

2011

The RAVE Tug – Application, Hydrodynamic Characteristics and Manoeuvrability

by: Oscar Lisagor, Dirk Juergens, Michael Palm
for: Tugnology 2011

2010

Predicting Tug Behaviour by Analysis of Rated Performance of Coastal Tugs

by: Andra Papuc, Robert G. Allan
for: ITS 2010 Conference, Vancouver

2010

Concept Development, Detailed Design and Construction of the Three Forty Three: North America’s Most Powerful Fireboat

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng., Kenneth D. Harford, P.Eng., Derek Noon, Jody Bjerkeset, J. Dalton, W. Siegel
for: 2010 SNAME Annual Meeting, Seattle WA

Awarded the American Bureau of Shipping/Captain Joseph H. Linnard Prize for 2010. Best paper presented to SNAME Annual Meeting 2010, Seattle WA

2009

RAmparts 3200 Tug Design: Evolution & Review

by: Xuhui (Bill) Hu, P. Eng.
for: Middle East Workboat Conference, 2009, Abu Dhabi

2008

The Relative Merits of Different Z-Drive Tug Types

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.

2008

The Evolution of the Z-Tech Concept

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: ITS 2008 Conference, Singapore

2008

RAmparts Tug Development in China

by: Xuhui (Bill) Hu, Capt. Yongliang Pan, Hong Zhu
for: ITS 2008 Conference, Singapore

2008

Modern Tugboats

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Yearbook of Science and Technology, 2009; McGraw-Hill, Chapter on "Modern Tugboats"

2007

The Concept Design and Testing of a Proposed 100 Tonne BP Escort Rotor Tug

by: Oscar Lisagor, Stephan Donia, Alan Reynolds
for: Tugnology 2007

2007

RAdiKAT: A Twin-Hulled Concept for Offshore Terminal/Escort Tugs

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng., Dr. Victor Dubrovsky, Dr. Scs., Ph.D.
for: ITS, Tugnology 2007

2006

High-Performance Tugboats for Offshore Terminal Operations

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Gastech 2006

2006

A Proposal for Harmonized International Regulations for the Design and Construction of Tugboats

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: ITS 2006 Conference, Rotterdam, Holland

2005

The Impact of Regulations on West Coast Towing Vessel Safety

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: SNAME, May 2005

2005

New Technologies in Tugboat Design for the Oil and Gas Industry-Middle East Developments

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators, 3rd SIGTTO Middle East Regional Forum, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

2005

New Demands on Offshore Terminal Tugs

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: OSV Singapore 2005, International Conference on Technology & Operation of Offshore Support Vessels, National University of Singapore, Republic of Singapore

2005

Cap Rouge II: Lessons Learned from a Fishing Vessel Tragedy

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: The Royal Institution of Naval Architects, Fishing Vessels, Fishing Technology, and Fisheries Conference, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK

2004

Ship Design and Construction: Chapter 47 - Tugs and Towboats

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: SNAME Textbook

2004

Escort Tug Technology ... Advances and Challenges

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: IMPA 2004 Congress, Istanbul, Turkey

2004

Escort Tug Design Alternatives and a Comparison of Their Hydrodynamic Performance, National Research Council of Canada

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng., David Molyneux
for: SNAME Maritime Technology Conference & Expo 2004, Washington, DC

2004

Cap Rouge II: Analysis of a Fishing Vessel Tragedy

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng., Shane Neifer
for: SNAME, Fall Meeting, North Vancouver, BC

2003

The Planning, Design, and Construction of a Major Fireboat for the Port of Los Angeles

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng. Kenneth D. Harford, P.Eng., Douglas Moore
for: SNAME, Pacific Northwest Section, Spring Meeting, March 2003, Seattle, WA

2003

The Odyssey Class Ferries: A Canadian Concept for Cost-Effective Adaptable Ferry Systems

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng., Mark J. Mulligan
for: Norwegian Society of Chartered Engineers 2nd International Conference on Double-ended Ferries, Ålesund, Norway

2003

Northern Transportation Company Ltd.; Operations in the Canadian Arctic

by: Hans F. Muhlert, P.Eng., Gary Latimer, Mark J. Mulligan, P. Eng.
for: Northern Transportation Company Ltd., and CIMarE, Mari-Tech 2003, Montreal, Quebec

2002

New Tugs, New Technology ... is There a Payback?

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: 15th BC Towboat Industry Conference, May/June 2002

2002

Compact Tugs: Their Evolution, and Recent Developments

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: ITS 2002 Conference, Bilbao, Spain

2002

Application of Rigid-Hull Inflatable Technology to a New Generation of Offshore Support Craft

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng., Hans F. Muhlert, P.Eng.
for: CIMarE, Mari-Tech 2002, St. John's, Newfoundland

2001

Worldwide Trends in Tug Design, and Their Impact on the Asian Tug Market

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Workboat World Asia Conference, Singapore, February 2001

2001

New Approaches to Series Ship Design for Flexibility in Construction and Service; The RAmparts Tugs and Odyssey Class Ferries

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng., Mark J. Mulligan, P. Eng.
for: Canadian Institute for Marine Engineering, Mari-Tech 2001, June 2001

2000

West Coast Workboat Designs in the World Market: ... Reflections on 30 Years of International Experience

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: SNAME, Pacific Northwest Section

2000

The Fast Ferry Project for the Alaska Marine Highway System

by: Ken D. Harford, P.Eng., Gary Smith, R.J. Van Slyke
for: Canadian Institute for Marine Engineers High-Speed Vessel Conference 2000 & Beyond

2000

The Evolution of Escort Tug Technology: ... Fulfilling a Promise

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: SNAME, Annual Meeting 2000, Vancouver, Canada

Awarded the American Bureau of Shipping—Captain Joseph H. Linnard Prize for 2001. Best paper presented to SNAME Annual Meeting 2000, Vancouver, Canada.

2000

The Development of a New Generation of High-Performance Escort Tug

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: ITS 2000, Jersey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom

1998

Developments in Escort Tug Technology

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: ITS '98 Conference, Capetown, RSA

1998

Coastal Towing in BC—Cautiously into the Future?

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: B.C. Towboat Owners Association Conference

1997

From Kort to Escort: The Evolution of Tug Design; 1947 - 1997

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Ship and Boat International (RINA)

1997

Applications for Aluminum Alloys in the Marine Industry - A Current Perspective

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Alumitech '97 Conference, Atlanta, Georgia

1996

Tug Trends to 2000

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Ausmarine '96 Conference, Fremantle, Australia

1996

The Planning and Design of Major Routes Car and Passenger Fast Catamaran Ferries for the B.C. Ferry Corporation

by: Ken D. Harford, P.Eng., Stephen Quigley, David Beresford, Mori Flapan
for: International Catamaran Designs Pty. Ltd., 12th Fast Ferry International Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark

1995

The Application and Advantages of Catamarans for Coastal Patrol Vessels

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: SNAME, Pacific Northwest Section

1995

A Review of Escort, Rescue and Salvage Towing Capability in Canadian Waters

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment

1994

The Role and Benefits of Escort Tugs in Canadian Waters

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Canadian Coast Guard, Ship Safety Branch

1994

The Design of Ship Assist Tugs: — Towards More Cost-Effective Construction

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: ITS '94, Southampton, England

1994

Study of Emergency Towing Services Worldwide

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Office of Marine Safety, State of Washington

1994

Guidelines for Tug-Tow Combinations on the Great Lakes

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Canadian Coast Guard, Central Region

1994

Cost Analysis of an Emergency Towing System

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Office of Marine Safety, State of Washington

1993

The Planning, Design and Construction of Fast Response Fireboats for the Port of Vancouver

by: Donald J. Pamplin, Peter S. Hatfield, Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: SNAME, Pacific Northwest Section, February 1993

1993

The Committee on Design Development (CODD) Report: The Development of High Quality Vessels for the Federal Government

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng., I. Glen, A. Kendrick, B. McLaren, J. Stubbs, P. LaCroix
for: Public Works and Government Services, Canada

1993

Structural Design of Two High Speed Aluminum Boats

by: Hans F. Muhlert, P.Eng.
for: SNAME, Pacific Northwest Section

1993

Methods for Preliminary Determination of Escort Tug Requirements

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: The Royal Institution of Naval Architects

1993

Fatigue Failures of Welded Aluminum Shaft Struts on the M.V. "Marine Courier"

by: Ken D. Harford, P.Eng.
for: SNAME, Pacific Northwest Section

1992

The Evolution of Tug Design: The Canadian Experience

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: 12th ITS Convention, Genoa, Italy

1992

The Canadian Tug and Barge Industry: 1970 - 1990; A Synopsis of Trends in Vessel Design and Operation

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: The BC Towboat Owners Association Industry Conference

1991

The Canadian Towing Industry: Tugs, Barges and Their Relationships

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Canadian Coast Guard, Ship Safety Branch

For reference only – not available to the general public.

1990

"A Tale of Five Tugboats" The evaluation and full scale testing of ship-handling tugs for service in Coos Bay, Oregon

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: 11th International Tug Conference, Halifax, Nova Scotia

1989

Concept Design Studies for the Canadian Coast Guard "Type 500" Search and Rescue Cutter

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: SNAME, Pacific Northwest Section

1988

The Effects of Various Stern Configurations on the Directional Stability of Towed Barges

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Transportation Development Centre, Transport Canada

1987

Ship Handling in the Port of Churchill—The "Bear" Essentials

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: SNAME, Pacific Northwest Section

1984

Push-Towing Systems in B.C.

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: B.C. Towboat Owners Association Conference

1984

Computer-Aided Design in the Canadian Marine Consulting Field

by: Robert G. Allan, P.Eng.
for: Canadian Shipbuilding & Ship Repairing Association Technical Conference

1978

Present and Future Possibilities for Reducing Energy Consumption in Towing Systems

by: Robert F. Allan
for: Second B.C. Towboat Industry Conference, Victoria, B.C.

1976

The Noise Dilemma: Hindsight or Foresight

by: Ken D. Harford, P.Eng.
for: Canadian Pulp and Paper Association Noise Seminar, Richmond, B.C.

1975

Design of Tug-Barge Systems for Minimum Energy Consumption

by: Hans F. Muhlert, P.Eng., Robert F. Allan
for: SNAME, Pacific Northwest Section

1973

Noise Control on Towboats

by: Ken D. Harford, P.Eng., T.E. Siddon
for: First North American Tug Convention, Vancouver, B.C. 1973

Abstract published in Ship & Boat International vol. 00 pp. 223-230, Thomas Reed Industrial Press Ltd., U.K.

1972

Control of Noise Sources on Sea-Going Tow Boats

by: Ken D. Harford, P.Eng. A.J. Price T.E Siddon
for: Acoustical Society of America, 83rd Meeting, Buffalo, New York

Abstract published in Journal of Acoustical Society of America.

1971

Shallow Draught Towboats in the Canadian Northland

by: Robert F. Allan
for: Second International Tug Conference, London, England

1970

Current Developments in Design of Tug/Barge Transport for the Mackenzie River

by: Robert F. Allan
for: Arctic Transportation Conference, Yellowknife, N.W.T.

1969

Barge Transportation Systems and Barge Towing Tugs

by: Robert F. Allan
for: First International Tug Conference, London, England

1969

Analysis of Ferro-Cement in Bending

by: Hans F. Muhlert, P.Eng.
for: SNAME

1966

Considerations on the Use of Kort Nozzles in B.C. Tugs

by: Robert F. Allan
for: SNAME, Pacific Northwest Section, Vancouver, B.C.

1953

Design and Construction of British Columbia Fishing Vessels

by: Robert F. Allan
for: World Fishing Boat Congress in Miami, Florida