VESSEL REVIEW | Pate – Kenya Ports Authority to operate Turkish-built tug

Turkey’s Med Marine has delivered a tug to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) for operation by its marine services arm at the Port of Lamu in southern Kenya.

The Robert Allan Ltd-designed Pate will be used for ship handling, coastal towing, general purpose towing, escort, and firefighting duties. It was built by Med Marine in collaboration with Kenya Shipyards to be able to handle even some of the largest vessels visiting the Port of Lamu.

The newbuild has na LOA of 29.7 metres, a moulded beam of 13.3 metres, a maximum draught of six metres, and accommodations for eight crewmembers. A speed of approximately 12.5 knots and a bollard pull of 84 tonnes can be achieved thanks to two Caterpillar 3516C IMO Tier II engines with a total rated output of 5,050 kW at 1,800 rpm driving Kongsberg Maritime US255P30 2,800mm fixed-pitch propellers. Fuel oil is fed from a 203.4-cubic-metre tank.

For firefighting, the vessel relies on two remotely operated foam/water monitors connected to two main engine-driven pumps each capable of discharging up to 1,350 cubic metres per hour. A 10.6-cubic-metre foam tank is also fitted. The deck equipment meanwhile consists of a Kongsberg heavy duty escort towing winch and a towing hook and a capstan from Data Hidrolik.

The electronics suite consists of an Area A3 GMDSS, a Phontech intercom, a VHF radio and an EPIRB from Jotron, a Raytheon Anschutz autopilot, and radar, GPS, AIS, BNWAS, speed log, and echosounder from Furuno.

The accommodation spaces include two officer cabins and three double cabins for the remainder of the crew. All interior spaces are climate-controlled thanks to a Heinen and Hopman AC installation. The wheelhouse is fitted with a secondary AC unit.

Two Caterpillar C4.4 99ekW generators supply electrical power.

Pate was designed in compliance to RINA class rules including Unrestricted Navigation notation.

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