'Osprey Boxer' joins a growing fleet

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

25 Feb 2010

Osprey Shipping Ltd, based in Newcastle and Bristol UK, has taken delivery of the new tug ‘Osprey Boxer’ from Damen Shipyards. The tug is part of an ongoing programme of new construction required to support the company’s growing involvement in wind farm construction and other tug and barge operations. A naming and handover ceremony, held at Damen’s Gorinchem HQ on 12 January, was very much a family affair involving the company directors Mr Nigel Fletcher, Mr Peter Fletcher and their children.
Osprey Boxer is one of the popular Damen Stan Tug 2208 vessels designed to undertake a wide range of coastal, short sea and harbour duties. The tug is an almost identical sister to the CMS Buster, delivered to Clyde Marine Services in the summer of 2009 (see MJ – September 2009). Measuring 22.64m in length overall, with a beam of 7.84m and draft (aft) of 3.73m, Osprey Boxer meets the requirements of Bureau Veritas; +Hull, MACH, AUT-UMS, Tug Unrestricted Navigation and UK MCA Workboat Code Category 2, for use under the British flag.
A twin screw propulsion system is powered by two Caterpillar 3516 TA/B diesel main engines, generating a total of 2,720bhp at 1,600rpm, each coupled to a four blade fixed pitch propeller via a Reintjes WAF 664L gearbox with a 5.95:1 reduction ratio. The propellers turn in Van der Giessen ‘Optima’ nozzles to give the tug a bollard pull of 39.3 tons and a maximum speed of 11.9 knots.
The main engines are keel cooled and the exhaust gases are discharged through the transom, eliminating the need for exhaust uptakes. Two Caterpillar C4.4T 64.5kVA auxiliary generator sets are installed to supply onboard electrical power at 230/400v, 50Hz. Integral tanks can accommodate up to; 52.9cu/m of fuel oil, 7.84cu/m of fresh water, 2.9cu/m of lubricating oil, 2.4cu/m of dirty oil, 1.7cu/m of sewage and 2.6cu/m of bilge water.
Deck equipment includes a hydraulically powered DMT towing winch with a maximum brake holding capacity of 100 tons, a 10 ton pull at 10m/min or a slack rope at 23m/min. The single drum can accommodate 300m of 44mm diameter steel wire rope. Also installed is a Heila HLM 20-2S hydraulic deck crane, a Mampaey 45 ton towhook and a DMT electrically powered anchor windlass, incorporating a warping head.
Deck space aft has been maximised, giving a clear, safe, timber clad work deck. An open stern has been faired in to minimise fouling when towing, and a prominent ‘stop post’ is fitted on both bulwarks. A well fendered bow incorporates a single, central, push knee extending below the waterline.
Fully air conditioned and heated accommodation is available for a maximum of eight persons. The compact superstructure contains a single cabin for the Captain, a shower and sanitary facilities, the galley and a separate mess room at deck level. A single cabin for the chief engineer, one two berth cabin, one four berth cabin and additional sanitary facilities are located below decks.
Osprey Boxer made a brief maiden voyage to Newcastle on 20 January prior to sailing south to Ramsgate to provide towage services at the Thanet offshore windfarm. Osprey Shipping has been transporting components to the Thanet wind farm by barge for several months using their 50 tons bollard pull ASD tug Osprey Fighter. The company is already committed to further work as Round 3 of UK wind farm construction gets underway, including a project in the Irish Sea off Barrow.
Osprey Boxer is expected to remain in the Ramsgate area until March before moving on to other work, including the transportation of prefabricated sections for the new aircraft carriers under construction at Rosyth. With the arrival of this new vessel, Osprey Shipping has sold the Cumbrae, a former naval ‘Dog’ class tug (ex; Clutha; ex; Alsatian), for use in Nigeria.
As part of its expansion plans Osprey Shipping also has two 76m by 24m pontoon barges under construction in China and due to be handed over in Singapore later this month. Two larger barges (110m by 34m) are also planned and the construction of a larger tug of 75 to 80 tons bollard pull is under consideration.

Source: Maritime Journal