Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. Designs Towboat in Support of Offshore Oil Field Development in Alaska

Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI), of Bristol, RI, was contracted by Northern Maritime Logistics, LLC of Anchorage, Alaska, for the design of both a towboat and the bow ramp for a new, USCG Inspected deck barge. Both vessels have been put into service use on the North Slope of Alaska, servicing Nikaitchuq Island in support of oil field development. The vessels have a limited specific-service route from Point Oliktok to Nikaitchuq offshore drilling island (approx. 3 miles to the North-Northwest of Point Oliktok and South of Spy Island).

Pictured Below: OLD BULL and NML 100 at work

Impressively, both vessels were conceived and built in less than four months during the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2011. OLD BULL and NML 100 were designed, fabricated, transported to the North Slope, launched and commissioned during this very short timeframe, which is a testament to the designers, builders and logistics providers involved.

The 39’ x 19’ x 5.5’ towboat is designed for exposed waters and to ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels <90m. OLD BULL is constructed of steel, and is powered by twin diesel engines, each producing approximately 340 BHP and driving conventional propellers. OLD BULL’s deckhouse includes a head, galley counter, and mess for several people. The pilothouse is located above the cabin on an elevated platform to allow adequate operator visibility over cargo loads on the barge. OLD BULL is outfitted with push knees, bollards, and capstans to allow securing to the stern of the barge with over-deck lines, and is also outfitted with a stern towing bitt.

Pictured Below: 39’ Towboat OLD BULL

The deck barge, NML100, is a 100’ x 45’ x 7’ steel unmanned barge, fabricated at Eagle Fabrication, LLC, Sauget, Illinois and erected in Deadhorse, Alaska. Modules that could be shipped over the road were fabricated in Illinois, trucked to Alaska, and then welded together in Alaska. Then the completed barge was moved 60 miles over land and launched into the Beaufort Sea from an ice road. A canal was cut in seven foot sea ice to float the barge.

Pictured Above: 60 mile convoy to launch the NML 100, Subchapter I deck barge

Pictured Above: NML 100 launched in 7’ of sea ice in Beaufort Sea

NML 100 is fitted with a bow ramp powered by a modular diesel fueled HPU with integral fuel tank mounted above-deck in a watertight locker. The bow ramp allows for operations from unimproved beaches.

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For further information on this or other designs available from BHGI, visit their website: www.bristolharborgroup.com.