Lomax
Østensjø Rederi, the Norwegian operator, is renowned for insisting on the highest standards of fit-out aboard its tugs. It is discerning enough to only use those tug builders that it knows can provide the high quality of finish to which its crews have become accustomed. Sanmar has recently completed and launched a second tugboat for this customer. The sea trials will be in December and the tug will be named Lomax with a special handing over ceremony in January 2013.
Lomax is Sanmar’s enhanced version of Canadian designer Robert Allan Limited’s RAstar 2800 ASD which the builder designates it’s Terminal Class. It measures 28.00m x 12.60m with an extreme draft of 5.7m and built to ABS classification with notation that includes A1 Escort Vessel, FiFi 1 and Unrestricted Service.
Power is provided by a pair of Caterpillar 3516Cs, each developing 2,350kW at 1,800rev/min. These turn Rolls-Royce type US 255 Z-drives with 2,800mm four-bladed, variable pitch propellers. Auxiliary power is supplied by a pair of 245kW MAN D2866 LXE30 generator sets. Although sea trials have yet to take place, the vessel is expected to achieve a bollard pull in the region of 80 tonnes with a free-running speed of 13 knots.
The winches fitted to the vessel are also by Rolls-Royce. The forward unit is capable of dynamic self-tensioning up to 80 tonnes for escort operations whilst aft is a single drum towing winch which has a brake load of 170 tonnes. Other deck items include a Palfinger knuckle boom crane, Triplex towing pins and a stern roller. The vessel has fendering by Trelleborg and Ermaksan.
Lomax has a high standard of fully air-conditioned accommodation for a total of six persons – two single officer cabins and two twin crew cabins. The sanitary spaces all have heated floors. The list of navigational equipment in the wheelhouse is particularly comprehensive, and includes GMDSS A3, Furuno 8900S VHF radios, radars, GPS, chart plotter, DGPS compass, magnetic compass, autopilot, echosounder, AIS, speed log, bridge watch alarm, and general alarm system from leading manufacturers such as Furuno, Jotron, Alphatron and Kongsberg.
