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 New tractor adds to service in Texas MORAN tractor tug Lynne Moran boosts customer-service capacity. "This new tug is the best thing to happen around here since Texas barbecue," said Mark Taylor, one of 29 state pilots operating on the Sabine River system on the Texas coast. "With the Lynne Moran we have a much larger repertoire of maneuvers that we can apply to docking and undocking the largest crude oil tankers calling in this port." Lynne Moran, a 5,100 hp z-drive tractor tug with more than 70 tons of bollard pull, joined the MORAN fleet at Port Arthur in late 2005, and was immediately welcomed as the most versatile, powerful tug in that region. "This tug represents a significant change in the way ships are going to be handled in this port," added Capt. Taylor who worked with the Lynne Moran on her first ship-docking assignment involving a 792-foot crude oil tanker.  Lynne Moran is new to Texas, but she is the fifth of a class of 5,100 hp tugs, most with FiFi-1 firefighting capability, to join the MORAN fleet in the past few years. An even more powerful FiFi-1-class tug, the 6,000 hp Edward J. Moran, was launched in early 2006, while two others are under construction. MORAN, with a 150-year history, currently operates the largest fleet of modern tractor-style tugs on the Eastern Seaboard, with 15 such boats dispersed around a half dozen ports from New York to Texas. With a Markey electric hawser winch on her bow, the Lynne Moran is capable of escorting and docking the largest ships calling in the tri-port area of Port Arthur, Beaumont and Orange, Texas. Located on the Texas-Louisiana border, with its entrance at the mouth of the Sabine River, the triport area includes four major refining operations, three public wharves, five private bulk terminals, a grain elevator, several shipyards and the Beaumont National Defense Reserve Fleet. At least one LNG importation terminal is under construction on the Sabine River with two others in planning stages. "For us it's all about offering better service to our clients," said Steve Kelly, vice president and general manager of Moran Towing of Texas. "With this tug, working in conjunction with our existing fleet, we are able to service more ships and we are able to handle larger vessels in a more efficient and safer manner. The Lynne Moran, being more maneuverable than most tugs, helps to make these ships more maneuverable." Les Hurd, senior captain aboard the Lynne, said the tug’s maneuverability has a tendency to draw attention. “When people see what this tug can do, word gets around,” he said. Hurd demonstrated the tug’s maneuverability recently while undocking a Sanko tanker at a terminal on the Sabine River. He started off with a headline from the Lynne leading up through a centerline chock on the stern of the ship, tied port side to the pier. At first using his backing power at an angle to help pull the ship away from its dock, Hurd then maneuvered the tug sideways to a new position at the ship’s starboard quarter, paying out line from the winch as she progressed along the side, never losing contact with the ship, and never allowing any slack in the head line. From his new position he was able to push ahead on the ship to keep her properly positioned in the narrow channel. When his own stern approached the far side of the channel, Hurd was able to fold in the tug alongside the ship while still applying the required force against the side. "It's a whole lot easier maneuvering around the ship, and fulfilling the requests of the pilot," he commented.  Lynne Moran, like a number of others in the MORAN fleet, is ABS certified for FiFi-1 firefighting capability, with more than 10,000 gpm pumping capacity through a pair of 5,000 gpm monitors mounted just aft of the pilothouse. Each fire pump is powered by its own 900-hp Caterpillar diesel, while the monitors, as well as fire pump and sea chest controls are all operated remotely from the wheelhouse. The complete FiFi-1 package also includes a self-drenching deluge system, dual SCBA tank recharge capability, remote operated searchlights, oversize wheelhouse windshield clearing system, and fire-resistant turnout suits for the crew. Other modern equipment aboard the Lynne includes a 100-point electronic alarm and security system, a wheelhouse motion-sensing crew-alert system, and an extensive 24-volt battery system providing backup maneuvering for z-drives and wheelhouse electronics. "This tug has just the type of equipment that is needed in a growing port like this," said Steve Kelly. "We've got tankers as large as 900 feet coming in here, and soon we'll have LNG tankers. With that type of shipping we need to provide the most powerful and maneuverable tugboat equipment." |
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50 Locust Avenue | New Canaan, CT 06840-4737 USA | Tel: 203.442.2800 |
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