Dakota Creek launches lead vessel of new tug class for US Navy

The US Navy’s first Yard Tug (YT) 808-class vessel was successfully launched at Dakota Creek Industries’ (DCI) shipyard on Saturday, May 16.

The YT 808 vessels are designed after the navy’s existing YT 802 Valiant-class tugs and built to commercial ABS standards.

The 27.4- by 11.5-metre tugs will have a top speed of approximately 11.7 knots and a bollard pull of approximately 40 tonnes, allowing them to effectively perform towing and ship-handling duties for carriers, surface ships, submarines, and barges.

The tugs are outfitted with a hydraulic hawser winch and staple on the forward deck for towing, and an “H” bitt installed on the aft deck with an adjacent hydraulic capstan for tightening lines.

Similar to the previous 802-class, the new YT 808-class tugs will have an articulating hydraulic brow installed aft of the deckhouse to allow personnel transfers to and from alongside ships or submarines.

The US Navy and DCI plan to conduct acceptance trials for YT 808 in July 2020 with delivery planned for August. DCI will deliver the remaining five tugs between this autumn and early 2022.