Van der Velden BARKE® high-lift flap rudders installed in new U.S. ocean going ATB

In conjunction with our U.S. representative Ships Machinery International, Inc. (SMI) announced the launching of a new state of the art Jones Act Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) with BARKE® high-lift flap rudders for coastwise service in the U.S.A. This new design vessel brings increased manoeuvring to the U.S. fleet of ATB vessels plying U.S. coastal waters, the Company said in a press release.

Tank tests prove that for this type of vessel this is the most effective rudder design. This ATB will have enhanced manoeuvrability and excellent course keeping stability. The efficiency provided by this high technology rudder solution will result in significant savings over the life of the vessel.

This modern ATB is designed by one of north America’s leading U.S. Naval Architecture firms Guido Perla and Associates, Inc. (GPA) to the following vessel characteristics: Length 43 meters, breadth 14 meters and a draft of 6.75 meters. Power is by two main engines of 4640 kW and three main generators of 250 kW each with a standby emergency generator of 150 kW. The vessel uses a pin connector system between the tug and the barge and fully complies with ABS Under 90 m Rules, Maltese Cross A1 AMS ACCU Towing Vessel, SOLAS, USCG Subchapter I.

Close cooperation between all parties
“We are pleased that our client selected this state of the art rudder system for their new vessel” said Arthur Dewey Vice President of SMI, and “we are confident that their faith in Van der Velden rudders will be rewarded over the long haul.” There is no other vessel like this one in the U.S. at present time. This vessel has an exceptional manoeuvring system with two independently controlled and operated hydro-dynamic Van der Velden BARKE@ rudders. Independent Proportional Steering will allow the rudders to be actuated either independently or synchronized.

Van der Velden has done a lot of work to facilitate the installation of these rudders into a hull and works closely with the designer and shipyard to assure a smooth transition from initial design to final installation. Guido Perla commented, “Van der Velden provided excellent technical support and on time delivery of design documents that helped us develop the engineering and design for the installation of their steering system. Their coordination with our staff was prompt and to the point. We appreciated their support.”

Enhanced manoeuvring performance
The key driver behind the BARKE® rudder is its innovative and sophisticated progressive high lift design, offering unsurpassed manoeuvring and course keeping performance as well as smooth operational comfort. The progressively operating flap linkage system is contained in a fully enclosed, grease-lubricated BARKE® housing. This results in minimum wear on the linkage components and eliminates the problems caused by contact with floating objects.

Transfer of ownership this summer
The complete tug (the future M/V Sea Power), which is under construction at BAE Systems’ shipyard in Jacksonville, Florida, will be handed over to its owner Sea-Vista ATB I LLC, in the summer of 2016.

Next ATB project for Van der Velden Marine Systems is running
Another set of BARKE® high-lift rudders will be installed on another ATB before this summer. Van der Velden is happy to make a valuable contribution to the world of ATB tugs.