OCTOBER 25, 2013 — Clear Lake Shores, TX, based Castleman Maritime LLC has been commissioned by Texas tug operator, Signet Maritime LLC, to engineer and design its seventh ASD (Azimuthing Stern Drive) tug.

This new 72 ft LOA x 28 ft beam ASD tug is a smaller size than Signet's existing ASD tugs, giving improved maneuverability in the tight quarters found on Texas inland waterways.

Delivery from Signet Shipbuilding & Repair in Pascagoula, MS is scheduled for July, 2014, after which the tug, the M/V Signet Vigilant, will operate from Signet's International Operations Center in Ingleside, TX.

The CM-72 is a new design from the keel up. She will have lower emissions and lower fuel consumption meeting EPA Tier III regulations. Her power is supplied by a pair of MTU 8V-4000 M54 Tier III engines developing 1,200 BHP each. Rolls-Royce US 155 P12-FP azimuth propulsion units will deliver the power to the props. Bollard pull is an estimated 30 metric tons.

This is the first Castleman design to be commissioned by Signet.

Castleman Maritime says its proximity to the offices of Signet helped to speed up the design process from concept to the delivery of production design and lofting. CM's Gulf Coast location enabled its team to respond quickly and in person to requests by Signet Maritime and ita shipyard. Castleman adds that its designs are known throughout the industry for their quick build time - a reduced design time makes for an almost unheard of turn-around - concept to delivery of the boat in 12 months.