The vessels are under construction at Gulf Island Shipyards in Houma, Louisiana, US. Orders have a combined value of circa €8 million. The equipment is planned for delivery during 2020.
“We are very pleased that MacGregor has again been selected to supply deck machinery equipment for the two T-ATS class vessels, which further demonstrates Gulf Island Shipyards and US Navy confidence in MacGregor’s solutions and services,” says Høye Høyesen, Vice President, Advanced Offshore Solutions, according to a press release.
The latest contracts with Gulf Island Shipyards, a subsidiary of Gulf Island Fabrication Inc, include the option for a further five vessels. The towing, salvage and rescue ship (T-ATS) is a new class of vessel that will be deployed for worldwide naval service including open-ocean towing, supporting salvage operations and submarine rescue missions.
NAVSEA requirements state that the vessel must have a minimum bollard pull rating of 118 tonnes (130 short tons). To meet this need, MacGregor’s deck machinery package will include a main towing and traction winch, in addition to an offshore crane, Triplex shark jaws, towing and pop-up pins, a stern roller, and other accessories. The contracts also provide for crew training as well as integrated logistics support.
MacGregor equipment is installed on many types of naval vessels, including more than two hundred Sealift Command pre-positioning and multi-role ships, amphibious dock and landing ships, and logistics support, surface and coast guard vessels.