Royston completes tug engine overhauls

Jun 7, 2021 | News

Roston completes tug engine overhauls 

Royston has recently completed the extensive inspection, overhaul and service of the main and auxiliary engines and associated components, as well as both azimuth propulsion units, on two tugs operated by Caledonian Towage in the Cromarty Firth.

A special survey was carried out on both the Strathdon and Strathdee coastal and harbour towage vessels. The scope of works involved the full overhaul and inspection of the main Niigata propulsion engines and the Yanmar auxiliary and harbour generators, alongside the servicing and repair of the fuel injection systems and Z-Peller propulsion units.

As an authorised agent for both Niigata and Yanmar, Royston was able to provide a highly effective single source solution to meet the needs of these overhauls through a combination of specialist on-board marine engineering teams and the ability to utilise its fully equipped engineering facilities for the fast turnaround of those engine parts requiring workshop-based cleaning, repair and maintenance.

Royston utilised OEM trained teams on each vessel whilst they were docked at Peterhead to successfully carry out the extensive range of dismantling, inspection and engine refurbishment tasks involved. The range of works included unit inspection of both main engines, top end overhaul of the auxiliary engines and a complete overhaul of the harbour set.

The Z-Peller propulsion units were also overhauled in line with the OEM guidelines, with works also including the inspection and renewal of the propeller shaft seals and the inspection and measurement of clearances for both gearboxes.

In support of the on-board engineering works, in the Royston workshop, cylinder heads, fuel injectors and fuel pumps from the vessels were dismantled, cleaned and inspected for any signs of wear or damage. Where necessary repairs were made, and parts replaced.

With the completion of the works as scheduled, and after satisfactory sea trials, both tugs were able to resume their usual work providing harbour towage and support services to North Sea coastal offshore operators.

Shaun Cairns, Royston’s operations manager, said: “We’re very pleased to have supported Caledonian Towage with this engine overhaul programme. More than ever, service fleet owners need to have confidence in the availability of their vessels, meaning routine engine maintenance schedules must be optimised and planned very carefully.  We are delighted to have achieved this, with the project illustrating how our mixed engine experience and marine engineering capabilities enable us to complete jobs like this efficiently and effectively to the required OEM standards.”

Caledonian Towage is a long-established fleet operator in the Cromarty Firth and surrounding North Sea areas providing towage and oilfield support services, principally to the Nigg Oil Terminal and Beatrice offshore platform, and also supporting offshore wind farm construction.