(CLEAR LAKE SHORES, Texas) — Clear Lake Shores-based Castleman Maritime LLC has been commissioned by Texas tug operator, Signet Maritime LLC, to engineer and design their 7th ASD (Azimuthing Stern Drive) tug. This new 72' LOA x 28' Beam ASD tug is a smaller size, giving her operators improved maneuverability in the tight quarters found on Texas' inland waterways. Upon delivery, the M/V SIGNET VIGILANT will operate from Signet's International Operations Center in Ingleside, Texas.
The proximity of Castleman Maritime to the offices of Signet helped to speed up the design process from concept to the delivery of production design and lofting. CM's Gulf Coast location enabled their team to respond quickly and in person to requests by Signet Maritime and their shipyard. Castleman's designs are known throughout the industry for their quick build time – a reduced design time makes for an almost unheard of turn-around – concept to delivery of the boat in 12 months.
The CM-72 is a new design from the keel up. She will have lower emissions and lower fuel consumption meeting EPA Tier III regulations. Her power is supplied by a pair of MTU 8V-4000 M54 Tier III 1,200 BHP each. Rolls Royce US 155 P12-FP azimuth propulsion units deliver the power to the props. Bollard pull is an estimated 30 metric tons. She is under construction at Signet Shipbuilding & Repair in Pascagoula, Mississippi – delivery is to be in July, 2014.
This is the first Castleman design to be commissioned by Signet.
