ANACORTES, WASHINGTON – Yard Tug (YT) 811 was successfully launched at Dakota Creek Industries (DCI), May 8, the Navy’s Program Executive Office – Ships said in a release.
YT 811 is the Navy’s fourth of six YT 808-class harbor tugboats ordered in July 2018 under contract with DCI. Acceptance trials for YT 811 are planned for late summer followed by delivery to Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton Annex, Washington.
YT 808 is the lead craft of the six tugs on the Navy’s contract awarded in July 2018 to replace legacy single-screw YTB tugs built between 1964 and 1975. YT 808 is the first Navy vessel constructed to meet EPA Tier 4 marine diesel engine emission standards.
The vessels are designed after the Navy’s existing YT 802 Valiant-class tugs and are built to commercial American Bureau of Shipping standards. The 90-foot x 38-foot tugs have a top speed of approximately 12.5 knots and a bollard pull of approximately 43 long tons allowing them to effectively perform towing and ship-handling duties for carriers, surface ships, submarines and barges.
The tugs are outfitted with a hydraulic hawser winch and staple on the forward deck for towing, and an “H” bitt installed on the aft deck with an adjacent hydraulic capstan for tightening lines. Similar to the previous 802 Class, the new YT 808 Class tugs have an improved articulating hydraulic brow installed aft of the deckhouse to allow personnel transfers to and from alongside ships or submarines. A selective catalytic reduction system uses Diesel Exhaust Fluid to clean the exhaust for compliance with EPA Tier 4 marine diesel emissions requirements.
