The ''Valiant'' class is a class of
US Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage of ...
yard 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, su ...
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 Navy Region Northwest is one of several United States Navy Regions responsible to Commander, Navy Installations Command for the operation and management of Naval shore installations in Alaska, Washington (state), Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, ...
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.
Robert Allan Ltd. is Canada's oldest privately owned consulting Naval Architectural firm, established in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1930. Their experience includes designs for vessels of almost all types, from small fishing boats to ocean- ...
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 city in Los Angeles County, California. It is the 42nd-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 466,742 as of 2020. A charter city, Long Beach is the seventh-most populous city in California.
Incorporate ...
. The builder was
J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp.
The J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation was founded in 1924 by Joseph M. Martinac on the Thea Foss Waterway in Tacoma, Washington. It specialized in the construction of tugs, trawlers, purse seiners, ferries, naval patrol craft and power yach ...
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, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, Washington, Olympia, and northwest of Mount ...
.
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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 V12 or V-12 may refer to:
Aircraft
* Mil V-12, a Soviet heavy lift helicopter
* Pilatus OV-12, a planned American military utility aircraft
* Rockwell XFV-12, an American experimental aircraft project
* Škoda-Kauba V12, a Czechoslovak experim ...
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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