Built with custom-designed technology, the Samantha S is capable of fighting fires, thanks to fire monitors and pumps, as well as towing and escorting the largest vessels in the most adverse conditions. The powerhouse has a striking square bow which allows the tug to come up flat against the transom of ocean-going ships in the Columbia River and more than 100 tons of bollard pull thanks to a pair of GE medium-speed diesel engines producing 8,448 hp at 900 rpm. The tug features a pair of KONGSBERG 305-4100 with four-bladed 118-inch-diameter propellers. The tug’s engines also meet EPA Tier 4 emissions standards without after-treatment by using advanced exhaust gas recirculation.
Shaver Transportation President Steve Shaver says: “When we wanted to design a new tug, we started asking questions of our customers and team and we came up with an 80 ton, 80ft first concept. With a lot of work with Jensen Maritime and Diversified Marine and use of a simulator, we went up to a 112ft boat with the power and length to handle big ships in narrow waterways. We wanted to design a versatile tug that would work for us well into the future. That is the best ship-assist boat around, a wonderful tug which has proved it can do everything we designed it for, including everyday ship work and the ability to move loaded grain barges.”
Brad Korpela, Shaver’s Port Captain, explains: “Our fleet is operating in hundreds of miles of river with a lot of debris, currents, shallow water and narrow areas to navigate. Every vessel has to be hardy as well as nimble. For an escort boat on the Columbia River, the typical approach was not possible. From a handling perspective, the KONGSBERG equipment gives us fine-feel control and, as well as having the required horsepower, the finesse work is nice. You can have a boat that is capable of large bollard pull but with the KONGSBERG z-drive, it is nimble too. With this propulsion system, you can do some beautiful, agile work with a lot of power. Everything in the 112ft package is efficient, from the steering and remote controls to the multiple winches for hard wiring to the stern of large ships for escort.”