VESSEL REVIEW | Saam Halcon III – Canadian-Turkish partnership delivers newbuild to Chilean towage operator

Saam Towage has taken delivery of a new Z-drive multi-role harbour tug to support its operations in its home country of Chile.

Saam Halcon III (“Hawk”) is the fourth tug in a series to be delivered to Sanmar by the collaboration of Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd (RAL) and Sanmar Shipyards of Turkey. Saam selected this particular tug design, which was developed by RAL exclusively for manufacture by Sanmar, for its total installed power combined with a compact hull size that is particularly useful in ports with more restrictive waters that leave relatively little room for manoeuvring. Cristian Cifuentes, Saam Towage’s country manager for Chile and Peru, said that the tug’s hull design and special operating features make it an energy-efficient vessel ideal for use in any of the countries where Saam operates.

Saam Halcon III has an LOA of 24.4 metres, a moulded beam of 11.25 metres, and a maximum operating depth of 5.6 metres. Power is provided by two Caterpillar 3516C engines connected to Kongsberg US205 fixed-pitch azimuthing thrusters. The engines each produce 2,100 kW at 1,600 rpm to deliver a bollard pull of 70 tonnes and a free running speed of 12 knots. Resilient mountings are also incorporated to minimise the noise generated by the engines, the hydraulic pipes, and other essential equipment.

The vessel also has the standard RAL tug layout of a wheelhouse with full 360-degree visibility to provide the crew with enhanced situational awareness.

The tug provides all the comforts needed for a crew of up to six. The accommodation spaces include a mess/lounge, a galley, showers, single cabins above deck for the captain and the chief engineer, and two double cabins below deck for the remaining four crew. All crew spaces are MLC-compliant and are equipped with HVAC.

Saam Halcon III was built in accordance to ABS class requirements, including the Unrestricted Service and Fire Fighting Vessel 1 notations. The firefighting equipment includes a pump driven by the port side main engine and with a capacity of 2,700 cubic metres per hour.

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