Oceanic and Bugsier updates

 Thanks to readers for more information on the big German tugs:[see also previous post]

Oceanic

  As per the December 7 post, the Oceanic sailed from Halifax December 18, 1983. After re-engining in 1985 both Oceanic and Arctic had increased bollard pull from 150 to 189 tonnes, but this did not really improve their viability. In 1996 Oceanic was deployed as an Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV), but its 9 meter draft was too great for coastal work and it was not a success. It was sold to Turkey as mentioned, and then in 2016 it was towed to Malta for conversion to a yacht. However work has stalled and it seems unlikely that it will see service again.

Among the other big Bugsier tugs Simson is reported to be in Romania as the Sea Ranger. 

 

Most of the other Bugsier ocean going tugs called in Halifax at one time or another:

Much smaller than the other Bugsier tugs, the Albatros had a similar appearance.[contributed]

And here is one farewell photo of the Oceanic taken forty years ago today when it sailed from Halifax.

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Remember the Oceanic

 In looking back through my files I note a significant tug arrival in Halifax on December 7, 1982. It was a different scene 40 years ago - large tugs were still used to tow ships and oil rigs, and the arrival of the German tug Oceanic towing the semi-submersible ODR John Shaw was not particulary unsual.

(n.b. the date on the above photo is incorrect, it should read 1982-12-07)

Assisted by harbour tugs Point Vigour (c), Point Vibert (r) and supplier Seaforth Highlander and Seaforth Jarl (one of which - far right) the oil rig would be secured at Woodside.

When built in 1969 the Oceanic and its sister tug the Arctic were rated at 14,640 ihp (12,800 bhp) and were the most powerful tugs in the world. They were certainly among the most impressive, as everything sbout them spoke of power and sea-keeping ability. They were built for double duty as salvage tugs and as long distance ocean towing tugs. Their great power could also propel them at 20 knots in order to rush to the scene of an emergency.

 

With the oil rig secured at Woodside, the tug remained in port until December 18, 1982.

 

This was not the tug's first call in Halifax. It was also in port in August 1969 when it was virtually brand new (it had been delivered in June), and had towed an oil rig from Europe to Sable Island.

Owners Bugsier sold the tug to Turkish owners in 2013 and it was renamed Osman Khan and again in 2015 Orka Sultan. It returned to its original name Oceanic in 2016 and although spotted from time to time in the Mediterranean it was also reported in 2019 bound for Ghana. Its DNV classification was withdrawn in 2016 and surveys are long overdue.

 

Some of the above is a repeat of an October 26, 2012 Tugfax post: http://tugfaxblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2012/10/worlds-most-powerful-tug-for-time.html

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Bugsier Tugs in Halifax

The 1960s to 1980s were the boom years for deep sea salvage and towing tugs. The writing was on the wall however, for offshore anchor handling tugs were poaching the once exclusive territory of the big Dutch and German companies. Although not ideal for towing, the offshore tugs were powerful and did not depend on long tows and the occasional salvage job to pay the bills.

Dutch and German companies ruled the waves, although many other countries had big tugs too. Prime among the German companies was Bugsier of Hamburg. As they rebuilt their fleet post World War II, they continued to build larger and larger and more capable tugs, primarily for salvage. At the same time the oil industry was building larger and larger drilling rigs, and so the tugs were employed to tow the rigs over long distances to various oil fields.


From the 1960s Bugsier expanded its fleet dramatically, with ever larger tugs, several of which visited Halifax.

Here is a selection:

Albatros built 1965 visited Halifax on a salvage job.

Tied up at Purdy's wharf , Albatros had arrived towing Reefer Trader from 900 miles out at sea. The ship was on a trip from New York to Tenerife with frozen chickens when it broke down. Delivered to Halifax it was soon repaired and on its way again.

 A Benny Claus photo from my collection shows the tug arriving in Antwerp.

Simson built 1973, was one of  three  sister tugs with Titan and Wotan .

Simson was in port briefly in January 1975. Even in winter the crew was doing some work overside while at Purdy's wharf. It did not tow anything in our out, so may have been on salvage spec.

 

 

Simson tied up at the Long Wharf, Dartmouth Marine Slip, after towing in the jack up oil rig Rowan Juneau. It is standing by to tow the rig to Sable Island.

Jacques Carney took this photo of Wotan, likely in Brest, France.

It visited Halifax in 1974 and with Irving Maimi towed the drilling rig Sedco 704 to the North Sea.

Oceanic was the largest tug in the world. Built in 1969 it was almost brand new on its first arrival in Halifax.

 At pier 26 after towing an oil rig to Sable Island in 1969.

 Oceanic was back in 1981, having been re-engined for more power. 

Nevertheless every available tug assisted it into port with its tow.

Oceanic arrived with the drilling rig Bredford Dolphin from Gibraltar. 

The supplier Seaforth Jarl  also assisted the tow in.

Oceanic was back in 1982 towing the rig John Shaw from Japan.

Point Vigour stands by as Point Vibert and Seaforth Jarl take up trailing lines.

Oceanic spent a few days at Purdy's Wharf on completion of the tow.

Leaving Halifax, without a tow, (John Shaw in the background.)

Power measurements are difficult to pin down, but the tug's bollard pull was more than 150 tonnes, and possibly 170 tonnes with the new engines. It had an enormous range and could reach 20.5 knots.

The bottom fell out of the salvage and towing business in the mid-1980s and Bugsier retrenched to their home base in Germany. They now concentrate on harbour towage, coastal and near offshore towing.

Although more powerful tugs are now available, they are generally built along supplier lines and are not nearly as attractive as these traditional boats.

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World's Most Powerful Tug (for a time)

1. Oceanic alongside Purdy's wharf after a rig tow.

A pair of German tugs held the title for most powerful tug between about 1969 and 1976.
Built in Bremerhaven for Bugsier-Reederei-und Bergungs AG, the Oceanic and Atlantic initially had two 16 cylinder KHD engines giving 12,800 bhp through twin screws. In 1975 their bollard pull was increased to 152 tonnes when the two controllable pitch props were fitted with nozzles. (They also had three rudders)
in 1985, long after they had relinquished their titles, they were re-engined with a pair of new 16 cylinder Duetz diesels giving 13,190 bhp total, but burning heavy fuel. The bollard pull was then rated at 160 tonnes.
In 1993 the Arctic was sold to become the pirate radio station Arctic Research while Oceanic had entered permanent layup and conservation in their home port of Bremerhaven.
The tugs were designed as ocean-going salvage and firefighting tugs, and as such could their design speed was 20.5 knots. They were also fitted for long distance towing, and that is how Oceanic arrived in Halifax on December 7, 1982, with the semi-submersible drilling rig John Shaw on the end of a tow line.

2. Oceanic sailing light, with the rig John Shaw in the background.

3. The large funnel was a fake. The twin derrick posts are also exhaust uptakes and support a boom for line handling. Note the tow line stretched taught across the after deck.

Oceanic was delivered by the builders on June 6, 1969 (the hull was built by Rickmers Rhederei, and tug completed by F. Schichau) and arrived in Halifax August 30, 1969, having already delivered an oil rig to Sable Island.