The Shoalbuster 3512 NOORDSTROOM was launched at Gorinchem and moved to Damen Hardinxveld for further fitting out and to get ready for delivery end of April. The NOORDSTROOM ", length 35.00 meters and a width of 12.0 meters, brings a range of benefits: - Bollard Pull of approx. 55 tons at 2.90 meters draft - Extensive working deck of 145 m² - Accommodation up to 11 personnel - Office room for the client, incl. V-Sat connection - Fuel efficient due to three main engines - Sustainable techniques on board, resulting in: "Clean Ship Notation" from Bureau Veritas - "Anchor Handling Notation" from Bureau Veritas The new 3512 will be available for deployment wherever it is required. A Bollard pull of 55 tonnes with a draft of 2.90 meters will make it invaluable for heavy towage in shallow waters, a HS Marine deck crane with a lifting capacity of 11.3 ton @16.5 metres. An ability to carry up to seven (7x 20 ft.) and two (2x 10 ft) standard containers, facilitate diving, survey, renewables and dredging operations.With a fuel bunkering capacity of 255.0 m³ and 43.0 m³ freshwater capacity and waterfallanchor handling / towing winch which hold a wire of 600 and 1000 meters, will the " NOORDSTROOM " also appropriate for long distance towageAs optional the "Noordstroom" can fitted with the following equipment: - A-Frame (50 tons SWL) - Ploughing equipment - 4 points mooring system - Water injection dredging system - Diving ops. platform - ROV platform

Tug masters experience the effects of a tug's stability every day when manoeuvring their vessel, either free sailing or when assisting ships. During tug operations, a number of forces and combinations are working on a tug – such as towline, hydrodynamic, steering and propulsion forces – often at or near their maximum with respect to the tug's stability. It is, therefore, not just desirable but necessary for tug masters to have at least a basic idea of the elements of stability. They need to know where the limits are, and what the consequences could be, if the tug or tug handling practices don't conform to the rules of stability – not only in normal circumstances but also when extreme conditions, such as dense fog and storms, occur. The consequences can be very dramatic. Numerous harbour tugs have capsized, often with tragic consequences. In the tug capsizes known to have occurred between 2010 and 2015, more than 45 people have drowned. This educational guide to stability specifically for tugs aims to provide this important information to tug masters. It is written in a manner readily understood by all tug masters, regardless of their education, formal qualifications, nationality or operational backgrounds. The text is accompanied by numerous illustrations and photographs. In writing this handbook, the authors master mariner and pilot Captain Henk Hensen and naval architect Dr. Markus van der Laan have focussed on the practical aspects of stability, tug design and equipment and also on the consequences of unsafe procedures. Their emphasis is on harbour tugs, although several of the topics covered apply equally to seagoing tugs." The authors have produced an original and valuable training guide which will increase the knowledge of tug stability within the industry, and so enhance the safety of tugs, tug crew and the ships they support. It is hoped that this increased knowledge will indeed enhance safety and help to protect the marine environment." Ashok Mahapatra Director, IMO Maritime Safety Division. "This tug stability book will greatly contribute towards safer towage operations by enhancing the working knowledge of tug masters. It is an important publication for all tug masters and towage managers, no matter what facet of the towage industry they are engaged in." Arie Nygh ITA Patron; Managing Director, SeaWays Consultants.

Published by the ABR company
Visit: www.tugandosv.com

Towing Line / Hans van der Ster

The latest newsletter of the National Towage Museum dated January 2016 is published!

You will find the newsletter in the News category in this website, from where you can download this document, and on Facebook. If you would like to receive the news bulletins directly on your personal mail account, please let us know on the mail page in this website in the Contact chapter.
The newsletter is published quarterly, in January, April, July and October.
Note: the newsletter is published in the Dutch language only. If you are really interested in a particular item, please contact us and we will inform you more thoroughly.

This bulletin contains:

- preface from the chairman, with new year's wishes, the membership of the new burgomaster of the town of Maassluis of the Supervisory Board of the museum and the wake up call for the continuity of the donationship in a changing environment.
- report on the presence of musical singer Noortje Herlaar in the museum during the Furieade festival in october last year at the occasion of the farewell reception of the former burgomaster of Maassluis, Mr. Koos Karssen
- request for usage of an EUMIG film projector
- a story about the ship bell, her functions in the old and in present days and the original bells that are present in the museum
- report on the traditional yearly Allemansend, a cosy gathering of the museum's volunteers, dayly board and the Supervisory Board
- a number of photo shots of the traditional new year's drink in the museum
- PR activities: a report on the fair Europort 2015, that was also attended by a delegation and a stand of the Tug Harbour Foundation and the National Dutch Towage Museum

Please press the blue button to download the newsletter.

Damen delivers its first hybrid tug boat to the Royal Netherlands Navy on februari 20, 2016.

The first of a series of three ASD TUGs 2810 Hybrid was navigated into the Den Helder harbour by the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) on Saturday, February 20th. This hybrid tug that bears the name NOORDZEE is almost 29 meters long and is the first standard hybrid tug supplied by Damen that the RNLN will employ.

The contract for the three ASD tugs emphasises the good cooperative partnership that exists between Damen and the RNLN, as well as their shared vision. Both parties believe in a durable future and have chosen a sustainable option with the ASD TUG 2810 Hybrid.

At this time, the RNLN has four conventional tugs in Den Helder at its disposal. However, these older vessels do not have sufficient power to tug new ships such as the HNLMS Karel Doorman, HNLMS Rotterdam and the HNLMS Johan de Witt. Furthermore, the old vessels still make use of normal propellers with rudders with a restricted manoeuvrability and no longer fit the vision of sustainability that the RNLN has for the future.

The state-of-the-art ASD TUG 2810 Hybrid is one of Damen's standard tugs and, with its hybrid propulsion system, is powerful and durable. The vessel is provided with two rudder propeller units for optimum manoeuvrability and is able to sail on full electric power by means of a set of batteries and also diesel-electric on the generator set. When full pull is required, both main diesel engines are used, giving a maximum bollard pull of 60 tonnes, ensuring that all heavy duty tug jobs can be realised.

The RNLN was explicitly looking for a standard tug which was very environmentally friendly, as well as being powerful enough to realise heavy operations. The Navy contracted Damen for the project due to the fact that hybrids and sustainability are standard design concepts for Damen. In total, the RNLN, in cooperation with the Swedish Navy, has ordered five vessels, including the hybrid tugs. The two additional Swedish tugs are also of a standard design, but designed for operations in icy waters.

The NOORDZEE was sailed by the RNLN from Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania to the port of Den Helder. The two other ships, the WADDENZEE and the ZUIDERZEE will be delivered in mid-March and mid-June. Damen is proud to have the opportunity to cooperate with the RNLN, in a partnership which emphasises the vision of sustainability and the diversity of both parties.

During the 2011 reunion of former employees of Bureau Wijsmuller at IJmuiden, The Netherlands, a promise was made to organise a next reunion in 2016. And, according to a Dutch saying, from a promise originates an obligation. Therefore this site has been opened for the reunion of 2016. This happening is for everyone, and their partners, who has been in the service in the past at Bureau Wijsmuller. Seagoing as well as onshore personnel will be welcome. General information: Date : Saturday april 30th 2016. Location: the Telstar stadium at IJmuiden. Time: Start 13.30 h., closing  at 19.00 h. Entrance fee: € 40,00 per participant. This amount includes the buffet at about 17.00 h and coins for refreshments. Further information can be obtained by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Because of the necessary advance payments by the organization committee, a restitution cannot be made in case the participant for any reason will not be able to attend the reunion.

It is reported that the 2008 built Damen ASD2810 sisters SL Cayman (Imo 9516284) (ex. Smit Cayman - 2015) and the SL Montserrat (Imo 9516272) (ex. Smit Montserrat - 2015) has been sold to Masco JSC on the first day of February 2016 and renamed respectively Helius and Grumant. Both tugs are built by the Damen Song Cam Shipyard – Vietnam under yard numbers Smit Cayman 511551 and Smit Montserrat 511550. They have a length o.a of 28.67 mtrs a beam of 10.43 mtrs and a draft at sides 4.60 mtrs. The two Caterpillar 3516B TA HD/C diesel engines develops a total output of 3,678 kW (4,930 bhp) which results in a free sailing speed of 13.5 knots and a bollard pull ahead of 60 tons.

source: Towingline.com

(Photo's Smit Cayman and Smit Montserrat datasheets Damen)

It is reported that Boskalis Offshore purchase the two DPII Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessels Sea Bear (Imo 9185932) and Sea Lynx (Imo 9178410) from Deep Sea Supply. The two vessels will be renamed Union Bear and Union Lynx. The AHTS, type KMAR404, will be drydocked this weekend at the Damen Shipyard - Schiedam; Netherlands. The 1999 built sister vessels have a length o.a. of 73.50 mtrs a beam opf 16.40 mtrs and a draught of 6.90 mtrs. The Bear is built by Kværner Kleven Leirvik under number 271 and the Lynx by Kværner Leirvik under number 281. The two ainengine develops a total output of 11.240 kW (15.000 bhp) (Photo: D. Thompson)

Alongside each other for one last time! Tuesday morning Ron Damman received a call from an employee of the harbor office: 'Are you busy?' 'Yes I'm quite busy, why?'. They told me they wanted a picture of all the tugboats alongside each other for one last time while it still could. Of course this was something I really wanted to do, so I went there just after noon. The first new tugboat, NOORDZEE, was on its way to Den Helder and the two oldest tugboats, LINGE and REGGE, are about to leave the Port of Den Helder.
Above at the photo you see, from left to right, de REGGE, ROTTE, HUNZE, LINGE en GOUWE (the 'A' boats) next to those you can see the BREEZAND and the MALZWIN. The BALGZAND is still at the naval shipyard for maintenance. After some 'research' Ron can tell you that the four 'A' boats will leave for England via Damen Trading. The LINGE, REGGE, ROTTE and the HUNZE are sold to MTS Towage in Brixham and Falmouth. The only "old" tug that will stay in service off the Royal Dutch Navy in the Port of Den Helder is the tug GOUWE.

Photo / text : Ron Damman www.newdeep.nl © China

Photo II: Wim Vrolijk

Technical specifications LINGE class:

(Dutch Navy Linge class) (sisterships: LINGE, HUNZE, REGGE, ROTTE)
380 GRT, L27,45m, B8,30m, Dr2,70m, Dp3,80m
2 scr +nozzle, 2x diesel 4t 8cyl Stork-Werkspoor type DRO-218K, 1600bhp-1177kW total, sp 12kn, bp 21t

A 874 LINGE
1986 -15/11: Casco launched by "Scheepswerf Bijlsma" at Wartena (NLD) (YN 638) (keel laid 12/06/1986)
1987: completed by "Delta Shipyard" at Sliedrecht (NLD) (YN 812)
1987 -20/02: delivered to the Dutch Royal Marine at Den Helder (NLD) (white wheelhouse roof)
(NLD flag, c/s PAIU)
2004: still in service

source: The Tugslist / Piet van Damme