The ''Valiant'' class is a class of
US Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...
yard
The yard (symbol: yd) is an English units, English unit of length in both the British imperial units, imperial and US United States customary units, customary systems of measurement equalling 3 foot (unit), feet or 36 inches. Sinc ...
tugboat
A tugboat or tug is a marine vessel that manoeuvres other vessels by pushing or pulling them, with direct contact or a tow line. These boats typically tug ships in circumstances where they cannot or should not move under their own power, suc ...
s (YT) that entered service in 2009. These tugs are designed to provide ship assist, barge and general towing, and escort services.
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Design
Before committing to a new tug design,
Navy Region Northwest upgraded two of the older s,
and
''Washtucna'' (YTB-826), with improved power systems and
z-drive propulsion units. Experience with these and two other YTBs with improved winch and power equipment lead to the decision to build new tugs.
The ''Valiant'' class was designed by
Robert Allan Ltd. and derived from their ''Z-Tech 6000'' commercial tugboat design. The prime contractor for the first four class members was Pacific Tugboat Services of
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a coastal city in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the list of United States cities by population, 44th-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 451,307 as of 2022. A charter ci ...
. The builder was
J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. of
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma ( ) is the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. A port city, it is situated along Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, southwest of Bellevue, Washington, Bellevue, northeast of the state capital, Olympia ...
.
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Unlike previous classes of navy tugboats, the ''Valiant'' class employs z-drive propulsion units manufactured by Schottel. These SRP 1012 drive units can be turned through 360 degrees to provide thrust in any direction. The z-drive propulsion and the unique hull shape allow this class of tug to have roughly the same
bollard pull ratings ahead, , as astern, .
The z-drive propulsion units are powered by
Caterpillar Marine 3512C
V12 diesel engines.
For towing, ''Valiant''-class tugs are able to run stern-first using the JonRie InterTech hydraulic bow winch. This "tractor" mode of operation is accommodated with a stern profile that is higher than the bow profile.
An electric powered tug is being considered as a way for the Navy to reach its 2020 fossil fuel reduction goals.
''Valiant''-class tugs have an extendable, pivoting brow for use when personnel transfers are required. There are four state rooms, 2 singles for the chief engineer and the tug master, and two doubles for the other crew members. There is also a galley and mess area. The deck house is well insulated to reduce vibration and sound levels in the accommodations areas. The pilot house is windowed all around.
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Ships in the class
References
Auxiliary ship classes of the United States Navy
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