Signet Maritime Corp. took delivery in April of the Signet Arcturus, a 105'x38' Z-drive, designed by Robert Allan Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia. The 6,800-hp tug was built by Patti Marine Enterprises, Pensacola, Fla.
Signet Arcturus is powered by two Caterpillar C175-16 main engines, each rated at 3,417 hp at 1,800 rpm. The engines are coupled to two Rolls-Royce US 255 CP azimuth thrusters via carbon fiber shafting. The package gives the tug an ABS-certified sustained bollard pull of 83.45 MT. All Caterpillar mains and John Deere 6068TFM76 generator engines aboard the vessel are EPA Tier 3 certified for reduced emissions.
“This technologically advanced newbuild complements Signet’s offshore towing, rig escort and subsea expansion,” said Joseph W. Dahl, vice president, Signet Maritime. The Signet Arcturus was recently joined by her sister, the Signet Polaris, a second 105', 6,834-hp ocean towing tractor tug, delivered this month by Patti Marine. Both tugs are based at Signet’s Ocean Towing Division in Port Fourchon, La., for servicing the offshore energy industry.
“Bundling the controllable pitch propeller (CPP) tractor technology with the brute strength of Signet Warhorse tugs will provide our customers the best of both worlds in strength and agility,” said Dahl.
The vessel is equipped with fire resistant wheelhouse windows for servicing LNG and drilling platforms to ensure safety of the crew in case of fire hazard. It is USCG-inspected (Subchapter I) and is certified ABS International Air Pollution Prevention, International Oil Pollution Prevention and International Energy Efficiency for environmental compliance.
Deck machinery includes a Markey DEPCF-52S, 75-hp electric bow winch and Markey TESD-34, 100-hp electric double-drum towing winch. The bow winch contains 650' of 3"-dia. synthetic line and the towing winch contains one 2 ¼' x 2,500' tow wire and one 2 ¼" x 1,500' tow wire. Signet Arcturus is ABS Maltese Cross A1, Towing Vessel, Escort Vessel, Fire Fighting Vessel Class 1, Maltese Cross AMS.
With the Arcturus and the Polaris, Signet's Offshore Towing Division now has a fleet to 10 OTVs.
