Vancouver, BC based Island Tug is noted for the quality of their fleet of eight tugs and twelve barges. (See Cummins Hotips#266) This is generally credited to the fact that the firm is owned and managed by licensed mariners Capt. Bob Shields and Capt. Jack Davies who understand the functionality of boat pride. Speaking of the two dozen large bronze valves fitted in the engine room of the Island Scout, the company’s latest tug, consulting supervisor Marc McAllister says, "This is Island Tug. If it isn’t built in bronze it is probably stainless and if you can’t get stainless it better be galvanized."

The hull, to conform to Canadian regulations requiring crew accommodation to be above the vessel’s waterline, features a raised fo’c’sule for accommodation on the main deck level. Above that an aluminum two story house has been added by Island Tug’s shore crew who are finishing out the vessel under the direction of McAllister of McAllister Marine Survey and Design Ltd. The aluminum house, designed by Robert Allan Ltd. provides for an elevated wheelhouse to allow the tug operators good visibility when pushing a light oil barge. Designed for both pushing and towing the boat will have a custom designed headline winch with a 50,000 pound pull. On the aft deck, there will also be a massive Burrard Iron Works HF model single drum towing winch capable of carrying 3000 feet of 1.75-inch towing wire.

In the engine room a pair of Cummins KTA38 M0 main engines, with dual 800/500 HP ratings, are linked by Centalink flexible coupling to Twin Disc MG 5222 gears with 6.10:1 reduction. While compensating for any misalignment between the soft mounted engines and the hard mounted gears, these couplings also reduce gear noise. Just behind the gears, dual-caliper Kobelt shaft brakes are mounted on the seven-inch shafts. These compensate for the weight of the boat’s long shafts and heavy 78x60-inch propellers. Over 20 feet of each shaft pass through oil bath tubes with Wartsila oil seals at either end. The props are in nozzles with double rudder blades behind each. The fully redundant Jastram steering system allows the rudders to be operated independently or in synchronized mode. A pair of 99 Kw gensets with hydraulic power take offs round out the engine room. The towing and hawser winches will be driven hydraulically as will the 150 HP bow thruster.

From the soft mounted-engines to the raised foc’sle accommodations, Island Tug’s commitment to crew comfort and fatigue reduction is evident. They also have a significant environmental commitment with main engine options like the Cummins Eliminator™ and Centinel™ options that effectively eliminate the need for oil changes. The two systems combine to reduce operating and maintenance costs while creating an environmentally friendly operating regime. The Cummins-designed Eliminator removes all disposable lube oil filters. The Centinel Oil Management, an oil burn system, works in conjunction with the Eliminator to virtually negate the need for oil changes and waste oil disposal.

The environmental sensitivity carries over into all of the firm’s operations so throughly that in April 2005 Island Tug (www.islandtug.com) was the first Canadian tug and barge company to be awarded the Exceptional Compliance Program Award (ECOPRO) from Washington State Department of Ecology for excellence in marine safety and environmental stewardship.

When the completed Island Scout goes into service this December, the Pacific coast will have one more tug that is designed and built to operate safely and efficiently for many decades to come.

For further information please contact:

Capt. Bob Shields
Island Tug and Barge Ltd.
55 Rogers Street,
Vancouver BC V6A 3X8
Tel: 604 873-4312
Fax: 604 873-4318
E-mail: info@islandtug.com

Marc McAllister
McAllister Marine Survey & Design Ltd.
8466 Cox Drive
Mission B.C.
Canada V2V 6V3
Phone: 604 209 8847
Fax: 604 826 7202
E-mail: mmsdltd@telus.net

Carry Griffith
Marine & Industrial Engine Sales
Cummins18452 - 96th Ave.
Surrey, BC
Canada V4N 3P8
Phone: 604 882 5000
Fax: 604 985 3936
E-Mail:Cary.J.Griffiths@Cummins.com

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