Saudi Ports Authority officials pose for a group photo during the delivery of the brand new RAmparts 3200-W tugs. DAMMAM – The Saudi Ports Authority has received the three tugboats from Zamil Offshore Services, the company commissioned by the ports authority to build the tugboats - Rasalkir 1, Rasalkir 2 and Rasalkir 3. The boats are Robert Allan Ltd. designed RAmparts 3200-W tugs, the Maritime Executive online said. The RAmparts 3200-W class are powerful ship-handling/terminal support tugs designed act as harbor, escort, pollution control and fire-fighting tugs, and will assist in mooring, unmooring and all maintenance requirements in the Saudi ports in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf waters. Robert Allan Ltd. worked closely with Zamil to establish the final specification and vessel layout for the demanding service of this tug. The hull form reflects the now well-proven double chine form that characterizes all Robert Allan Ltd. designs, with a sweeping chined stern. A large escort skeg is fitted forward to enhance the indirect towing capability and to provide enhanced roll stability. The three tugboats are individually having a length of 31 meters, beam of 12 meters, depth of 5.36 meters, maximum draft of 5.20 meters and total power of 4720 kW. The vessels have been built and classed to American Bureau of Shipping notations. The propulsion machinery consists of a pair of Yanmar 8EY26 medium speed diesels, each producing 2,360 kW at 750 rpm. The RAmparts 3200-W is designed for maximum efficiency in the performance of ship handling, escort, and related terminal support activity services. The vessel is equipped with a hawser winch, towing hook, forward, with heavy bow fendering for ship-assist and escort work. A towing hook and capstan are fitted aft for secondary towline duties. The RAmparts Class tugs are a proven, standardized Z-drive tug design. Each design is developed from a successful prototype vessel or series of vessels, and refined to emphasize ease of construction, and the Owners specific requirements. These RAmparts 3200-W tugs are designed to perform a wide variety of tasks such as: Ship-handling, Escort, Anchor handling operations, Diving support, ROV support, Offshore personnel transfer, Safety or standby support, Rescue and salvage towing operations, Oil spill response, Off-Ship fire-fighting operations, Delivery of cargo to offshore drilling and production rigs that can include containers, various type of deck cargo, fuel oil, drilling water and potable water. – SG
