New emergency response tugs delivered to Turkish coastal safety agency

The Turkish Directorate General of Coastal Safety (Kiyi Emniyeti Genel Mudurlugu; KEGM) recently took delivery of two new ship assist tugs in a series.

Designed by Canadian naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd, the tugs will also have a secondary emergency response function. In addition to general towing, they will also perform emergency towing, firefighting, and search and rescue (SAR).

The new KEGM tugs each have an LOA of 24.4 metres, a beam of 12 metres, and a draught of 5.45 metres. Two Caterpillar 3516E main engines that each produce 2,200 kW at 1,600 rpm deliver a bollard pull in excess of 77 tonnes.

Specifically designed for optimal efficiency in ship handling duties for seagoing ships, the tugs each boast a wide beam that enables greater performance and stability, even in harsh weather or challenging SAR operations.

The design also emphasises low-manning operation, with advanced machinery automation utilising advanced technologies to improve efficiency and minimise environmental impact.