Press release 18th of January 2008

Delivery first DOT-system

2008 had a flying start for Mampaey Offshore Industries with the delivery of the first Dynamic Oval Towing (DOT®) system. The DOT-system, with a safe working load of 15 tons, is purchased by Macduff Shipyard. The tug on which it will be installed is a 13 meter harbour tug that will be delivered in May to Peterhead Port Authority. The design of the multi-functional tug is made by Macduff Ship Design, who had as the clients’ consultant a key role in the realization of this project.

The hook on the DOT-system is a disk-type Mampaey quick release hook with a safe working load of 15 tons and a test load of 30 tons. The hook is released hydraulically by a power-pack located on one of the two DOT carriages. The hydraulic pump is operated manually. The hook is released with a wireless connection by the push of a button on the bridge panel. The DOT-system can be secured in the forward or aft position when not being used.

The DOT-system integrates the towing points for sailing ahead and astern into one system. The system adds safety, controllability and, above all, flexibility to the performance of tugs enabling them to rotate in all directions in a safe and controlled manner irrespective of the heading of the assisted vessel. In confined spaces assisting vessels is much safer because with the 360° all-round towing system the tugs’ full power is available in any directions, which was important for Peterhead Port Authority.

The engineering of the DOT-system was performed by Mampaey Offshore Industries in cooperation with the maritime consultancy firm IMC. They where involved with the development of the DOT-system and analyzed the structural integration of the DOT-system into the Macduff design. Mampaey has, besides for the 15 tons hook, a DOT-system available with a safe working load of 30 tons for larger tugs.