Bisso takes delivery of first Tier 4 ASD tractor tug on Mississippi

Andrews.2

The following is text of a news release from Bisso Towboat Co.:

(LULING, La.) — Bisso Towboat has taken delivery of its newest ship-assist tug, the 6,008-hp ASD tractor tug Andrew S. It is the fourth new ASD tractor tug built in the past five years for Bisso by Main Iron Works of Houma, La.

Andrew S. is the first Tier 4 ASD tractor tug built for use on the Mississippi River and will be the most powerful ASD tractor tug in the Mississippi River ship-assist trade.

The 100-by-38-by-13.5-foot Andrew S. is powered by two Caterpillar 3516E Tier 4F main engines, generating 3,004 hp each at 1,800 rpm, and driving two Rolls-Royce US255 FP z-drives. The z-drives feature 98-inch four-blade stainless-steel propellers set in stainless-steel nozzles. Estimated bollard pull is 84 tons.

Electrical service is provided by two 99-kW Marathon generators powered by two John Deere 4045AFM85 engines. The tug is equipped with a JonRie Series 240 escort winch featuring 500 feet of 3-inch diameter Saturn 12 line.

Other features include U.S. Coast Guard-approved engine room monitoring and fire/smoke alarm systems, a fixed CO2 fire extinguishing system, Simrad navigation/electronics, soundproof insulation throughout engine room/crew quarters, stainless-steel bitts and bow staple, and four bunk rooms with seven berths.

Tankage includes capacities for 30,162 gallons of diesel, 11,000 gallons of potable water, 1,825 gallons each of lube and hydraulic oil and 3,000 gallons of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF).

Andrew S. will have a crew complement of four and carries an ABS International Loadline in addition to being built to Subchapter M certification and receiving a USCG COI.

By Professional Mariner Staff