“Lenga” (IMO 9203203) is the name of the new anchor handler tug supply vessel (AHTS) recently acquired by Remolcadores Ultratug Ltda., in order to continue strengthening its operations in the South American Cone and Antarctica. The name evokes a characteristic Chilean/Argentinian Patagonian tree, also known as White Oak or Oak of Tierra del Fuego, and is the second vessel of this type to bear this name.
Since 1985 Ultratug was serving the offshore contract with 5 AHTS units at the Magellan Strait for the Chilean Oil Company ENAP for uninterrupted 26 years, after that period those vessels were sold and Ultratug continues giving support to the ENAP’s offshore installations, but up to now only with harbour tugs based at Punta Arenas.
The vessel has DNV-GL Class notation 1A1 Supply vessel Tug DK(+) DPS(2) E0 HL(2.5) with an incredible 166 t of bollard pull, which will allow performing ocean towage operations to large size vessels and working with anchors and chains in large monobuoys terminals enhancing overall safety and efficiency. The main particulars are: – Length overall: 74 m – Breadth: 16 m – Draft: 6,5 m – DWT: 1970 – Deck area: 550 m2 – Fuel Cargo: 853 m3 – Fresh water cargo: 1100 m3 – Accommodation: 22 Officers/ Crew
Propulsion is provided by 2 x 5500 kW each main engines Wärtsilä 12V32, with controllable pitch propellers (CPP) and 3 side thrusters for manoeuvring and dynamic positioning controlled by Kongsberg systems K-POS 2. Vessel is powered by 2 x 2125 kVA shaft alternators, 2 x 430 kVA auxiliary engines Caterpillar 3406 and 1 x 125 kVA Volvo Penta emergency generator. Monitoring and control of propulsion, power management and surveillance system is Kongsberg K-Chief 600 allowing continuous unattended operation of the machinery spaces.
Anchor handling equipment consists of a triple drum winch with a Towing Drum (1560m of 76 mm wire, brake load 400T) and 2 A/H Drums (2 x 1390m of 76mm wire, brake load 430T). The vessel is also equipped with a stern roller, twin towing pins & twin Karmoy Forks, chains can be stored in 2 aft chain lockers.
Lenga was built in Fergusson Shipyards, Scotland, and entered into operation in year 2000 working mainly in the North Sea offshore market under Norwegian flag. Last owner and operator was Buksér og Berging and former name was “BB Troll”. The vessel was transferred to Ultratug in November 14th, 2020 in Vigo, Spain, and conducted a dry docking period in Metalships Shipyard in the same city.
During the extensive dry docking period, the vessel was upgraded increasing accommodation from 16 to 22 crew/officers in compliance with MLC 2006. The fresh water capacity was also increased in an additional 500t, and a new Heila 20t crane and a ballast water treatment plant will be installed during this year, this last equipment will allow complying with IMO Ballast Water Management Convention for unrestricted international waters operation.
After completion of dry docking, harbour and sea trials were performed including a complete test on the Dynamic Positioning II system (DPII), which included different failure modes, in order to verify the integrity of the complete system.
Lenga’s crew and management is done by Humboldt Shipmanagement, the vessel finally departed Vigo on January 22nd and is in underway to Punta Arenas, Chile from where Ultratug will intend to use this unit as an important player in the logistic chain to the Antarctic bases, besides of being ready to act in the towage and salvage operations that might be occurred in the South America region.
For further information, please send to: jguajardo@ultramar.cl (Jorge Guajardo) and apatino@ultramar.cl (Adolfo Patiño)