Tacoma-based work-boat builder Silverback Marine will deliver a truckable, twin-azimuth-drive tugboat in 2025 to an as-of-yet undisclosed branch of the Department of Defense.
The truckable tug will be just under 26 feet, with a beam of 14 feet, five inches and a draft of 3 feet, 4 inches. Silverback Marine’s goal was to create a tug that can be easily transported to job sites with enough power and maneuverability to perform push-assist operations. “Captains can enjoy big-tug characteristics in a very compact package, but without the headache of costly Subchapter M requirements,” said Ian Gracey, an engineer at Silverback Marine.
Partnering with Seattle-based Elliot Bay Design Group, the truckable tug will be powered by twin Cummins diesel motors offering 500 horsepower via twin Schottel z-drives, with Arcosa deck equipment and winches. It will produce a bollard pull over 12,500 pounds. The vessel will have a range of 60 nautical miles pushing approximately 10,000 pounds at 4.1 knots.
Despite its smaller size, the truckable tug will have a full-height, spacious captain’s position offering “unprecedented visibility,” Silverback Marine said, adding “the heavy-gauge aluminum hull, protected by Schuyler fendering, reduces weight and corrosion costs compared to traditional steel hulls – and the compact size allows haul-out with conventional travel lifts.” Silverback said the tug is also an excellent candidate for hybrid and 100 percent electric propulsion.
“When operated in multi-vessel teams, operators now enjoy the ability to perform operations normally only possible with much larger tugs. This nimble solution also reduces underwater noise and environmental impacts, making it an attractive choice for ports seeking grant-funding opportunities and incentives.”