Ride on a new tug

[Alan Reagan]

Had one of the big thrills of my life yesterday. Got to ride on a brand new tug boat here in Savannah. A 5100 HP, twin Z drive (the entire drive unit pivots 360 degrees and consists of two hydraulically driven power nozzles). This thing was awesome. Twin 2550 hp EMD engines. The generator was a CAT 3406. Spent six hours on this bad girl turning and parking container ships and tankers. The control system consists of two small joysticks. Rotation of the joysticks rotates the individual thrust nozzles so a clutch isn't necessary. Individual throttles are located integral to the joystick and are controlled by the thumb. The tug can come alongside a ship running slow ahead, adjust nozzles so the the tug is running sideways, makeup lines to the ship, and then adjust nozzles so it is actually running backwards without ever stopping or "clutching" the drive units.

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Z-drives!

Those things are way cool. Got to play on a Seaspan Tug one day in Vancouver, BC. Very similar setup to what you are describing. Nothing like doing 6 knots sideways! I am in the buoytending part of the Coast Guard. We have adopted Z-drive technology in one class of ship and the new Great Lakes heavy icebreaker will have it too. Add a dynamic positioning system and the possibilities are endless. The difference between men and boys is the price of the toys!

 

[Alan Reagan]

I'm in the M side of the Coast Guard. Now I just have to get the digital camera down there, sit in the Captain's chair, get my picture took and put the caption "Most Fun I Ever Had With My Boots On". We did a high speed reverse maneuver last night and I was surprised at how high the water built before it broke over the stern .

 

[klenger]

I've been around airplanes all of my working life. I am fascinated by boats, especially big ones. Don't see many of them where I live.

 

[Alan Reagan]

You'd love these. Some of the ships that come in here are around 900 ft. The one I was on, being a tug was only about 80 feet. However, on planes, you get nuts and a softdrink for dinner now. Last night, we had fried chicken, cream corn, blackeyed peas, cornbread, rice and sweet tea for dinner. I like boats a whole lot better.

 

[RHARVEY]

Sweet Tea and Black Eye Peas

You really need to stop talking like that. . That is the way to eat. . I wish someone here in Ca. would learn to make sweet tea. I was born and raise in Arkansas and vacation there alot. Its great to be ask regular or sweet tea when you order your food. .







Rick

 

[NVR FNSH]

Re: Sweet Tea and Black Eye Peas

Originally posted by RHARVEY

I wish someone here in Ca. would learn to make sweet tea.

Rick

You're kidding, right? I went to visit a girlfriend in Tennesse and made the mistake of ordering an iced tea at McD's - imagine my surprise when I took a sip and got syrup Understand, I don't put ANY sugar in my iced tea.....



I get the shakes just thinking about that tea.



To each his own.



Brian

 

[RHARVEY]

I am having withdraws just thinking about a ice cold glass of sweet tea. . I do like the un--sugar'd, but there is nothing like the taste of sweet tea made right. . I can see where you would say that about McD's. .

If you want a good glass of tea try Cracker Barrel. . #1 stuff. .



Rick

 

[Alan Reagan]

We ride with these guys occasionally using them as boarding platforms and go onboard with the docking pilots. On extended waits, I can tell you, there is nothing better than some seafood gumbo, rice and sweet tea. All consumed with the mild vibration of those big diesels pushing you up against a dock so you are not just riding around. If I was on one of those things all the time my nickname would be "Woody" and I'd be as big as the side of a house. Know what I mean?

 

[gitchesum]

The last 4 years of my life have been a marine facility for an oil company. I've had the opportunity to ride on the big tugs and I've been all over our 900ft tankers. Too bad I couldn't bring the camera with me.

The newer tugs had just gotten some new Cummins in them, not sure what type though. Although the generators were all 5. 9 Cummins with a Lucas injector pump, rated for about 90hp I think.

 

[Alan Reagan]

5. 9 rated at 90hp? Maybe 390/490 hp for a generator on a big ship. I see a few 5. 9s for generators. They are really strong engines. They use them for emergency fire pumps also. They have to be able to hand start those usually. If that is the case, they use an air starter that can be fed off a tank that's pumped up by hand. Usually, they only roll over once and they crank.

 

[Pogodually]

Alan, I'm going with you for chow. Was one of the up in the air guys at Robins AFB years ago, your meals sure sound a whole lot better than inflight meals. Front street still there?

 

[Alan Reagan]

Front street is still there. If you haven't been to Warner Robins lately, the city limits stretch to the west side of I-75 and it is the fastest growing city outside Atlanta. I would love to take you guys on a ride. A couple of years back we could do it but now, the insurance companies won't let the tug owners give rides. Mine was as a member of the Coast Guard. We'll still do lunch if you are ever down this way.