The following is the text of a news release from Marcon International:
(COUPEVILLE, Wash.) — Crowley Marine Services Inc. of Seattle has sold a second sister tug of the Point class to Island Tug & Barge Co. of Seattle. The sale of the ABS +A1, Towing, +AMS classed, 2,100 bhp shallow-draft ocean towing/push tug Pt. Oliktok mirrors the transaction which Marcon brokered in 2013 between the two parties on the sister vessel ex-Pt. Barrow.
The three Point-class sister tugs were specifically designed and built to work in the Arctic, where Crowley needed vessels specifically designed to perform both ocean and coastal tows and push their 200-by-60-foot flat deck barges in shallow waters around Prudhoe Bay. The tug measures 90 by 32 feet with a depth of 11.2 feet and light draft of 6 feet. Normal operating draft is about 8.5 feet when loaded with about 60,000 gallons of fuel, which gives the tug a decent towing range for coastal work.
The triple deck tugs were built in 1982 by Dakota Creek Industries of Anacortes, Wash. While the hull is all welded steel construction, her superstructure is aluminum. Pt. Oliktok is powered by a pair of Cat 3512 diesels which provide about 2,110 bhp to fixed-pitch, four-blade stainless-steel propellers in Kort nozzles through Twin Disc 6.18:1 gears. The tug is also fitted with shaft brakes and previously fitted with steering and flanking rudders but the flanking rudders were removed by Crowley shortly after construction. The new owner is considering reinstalling flanking rudders for added maneuverability while pushing ahead.
Bollard pull is about 23.5 short tons. Towing gear consists of a single drum Smatco winch with a capacity of about 1,900 feet of 1.75-inch wire, a hydraulic tow pin assembly aft and two hydraulic barge winches forward just aft of the vertical push knees.
Marcon acted as sole broker in the transaction and has handled dozens of sales and purchases over the years for the buyer and over 100 for the Seller.
