VESSEL OF THE MONTH The Sea Machines’ system will allow Foss Maritime and the crew of the Rachael Allen to maximize productive time, safety and crew welfare.
Photo Credit: Foss Maritime
R
Rachael Allen:
ecently delivered to Foss Marit i m e , t h e 1 0 0 fo o t l o n g by 40-foot beam Rachael Allen is the fourth of four 90-ton bollard pull ASD 90 tractor tugs ordered at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders by the Saltchuk Group. Dist i ng u ish i ng Rachael Allen f rom her sisters is t hat she w i l l be t he f irst U. S .-f l a g ged ha rbor t ug to i nte g r ate autonomous systems in real-world commercial operations. Foss Maritime has selected Sea Machines Robotics’ SM300 autonomous command and control system for use on board the vessel, which will be deployed in California to provide tanker escort and ship assists for Foss Maritime’s customers. While the Rachael Allen will be delivered w it h t he SM30 0 a nd suppor t i ng hardware fully integrated into the vessel, the capability of the technology will be activated in stepped phases over the course of six to nine months to ensure full
The First Autonomous U.S.-Flagged Harbor Tug
visibility and acceptance from all operational stakeholders. Capitalizing on Sea Machines’ remote command and control capabilities, Foss will use its existing Fleet Monitoring Center personnel to monitor the tugboat’s systems and operating domain via streaming video and sensor data. By having an extra set of eyes and hands with access to vessel command and control, the Sea Machines’ system will allow Foss and the crew of the Rachael Allen to maximize productive time, safety and crew welfare. “Foss is leveraging Sea Machines’ cutting-edge technology to take on the routine work and allow crew to focus on higherlevel tasks and improve safety, while also increasing productivity and eff iciency during harbor operations,” said Foss president and CEO Will Roberts. “Foss prides itself on always offering customers safe and innovative solutions, and this is one more way that we are delivering on that promise.” De sig ne d by Jen s en Ma r it i me , t he
Rachael Allen and her three sisters are powerful enough to escort the largest vessels calling on ports on the U.S. West Coast and built to USCG Subchapter M regulatory standards, with ABS loadline certification, and UWILD notation. The vessels are equipped with two MTU 16V4000M65L EPA main engines, meeting Tier 4 emission standards, with a rated horsepower of 6,866 BHP @ 1,800 RPM and coupled to Kongsberg US255 P30 Z Drives azimuth thrusters. The propulsion package will produce over 90 tons of bollard pull giving the tugs exceptional pulling power and maneuverability. Deck gear includes a Markey DEPGF 52R (E s c or t) b ow w i nch, 525 fe e t of 9-inch circ. Plasma 12 by 12 bow line w it h 4 0, 382 p ou nd pu l l p e r 6 85, 0 41 pound brake capacity. The tow winch is a Markey DEPC 32. The towline is 250 feet of 6.5 inch 12 by 12 circ. synthetic line, with 17,000 pound pull per 216,936 pound brake capacity. July 2021 // Marine Log 7
