Comments on: T-ATF 172 USNS Apache 2

By: Russ

Russ — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:03:33 +0000

Does Don Jon still lease and operate Narragansett, a Powhatan tug T-ATF167, out of San Francisco Bay?

By: Chris Williams

Chris Williams — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:43:33 +0000

Great tour, Will. I’ve wanted a closer look at the “new” ATFs for many years. I wonder if the degree marks on the helm are rudder angles, or more properly rudder angle requests to be followed up by the steering engine. It would make more sense to me if that [latter] were the case. On the ASRs we conning officers would typically specify the rudder angle to be used in terms of degrees, based on degree of course change required, or amount of swing we wanted in closer quarters. With the Powhattan class ATFs being largely designed as Naval ships, even as MSC members, I’m suspecting there are some carry-overs of tradition. Also, there may be an assigned seaman on the helm, and the mate of the watch may be more of an Offier of the Deck / Conning Officer giving orders rather than carrying them out. Another interesting aspect of these ships is the level of manning, by comparison. The complement for a Powhattan clsss ATF is listed in the NAVSOURCE site is 16 mariners including offiers and 4 Navy members serving in a communications role – augmented as needed, I’m sure, when called for, such as sustained diving duties. The complement for the earlier, 205 foot Apache class ATFs was 85, including 5 officers. What a difference. We carried 102 on the ASRs, or at least that was our authorized manning level, including 5 officers, but we stood watches 1 in 3 typically, and for each watch there were multiple watchstanders in Main Control/ motor room, the Main Engine Room, “CIC” or the radar / sonar / Dead Reckoning Tracer room, Radio, the bridge watch and a roving security watch. Plus cooks and bakers. A typical bridge watch consisted of an OOD, a JOOD who was usually someone in training to become OOD, two lookouts, a helm, a Boatswain’s Mate of the Watch, a messenger and a quartermaster. Times 3 for 3 watch sections. A little labor intensive, to be sure.

By: tugster

tugster — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 23:05:57 +0000

in response to an interview i did recently, someone using an old single screw boat and whom i’m not at liberty to identify said this: “Maneuvering requires a little planning and respect for the wind and current conditions. One cannot just wing it and rely on twin screws and horsepower to cover up mistakes. “

By: eastriver

eastriver — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 21:41:04 +0000

Just saw this superb post and the last one. Interesting about the change in attitude about horsepower. This was pretty damn powerful in 1981; the vessel I work on has the same engines but is six years older.

Looking at the horsepower in the newbuild announcements on the “Work Boat Looks Back” page of that magazine, this rated pretty highly for it’s day. Attitudes have certainly changed with the advent of more powerful and fuel-efficient engines.

Of course, some say that the most essential horsepower is found in the wheelhouse and not the engine room! Much damage can be done with too much horsepower and not enough skill.

By: tugster

tugster — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 21:18:04 +0000

devrim– great blog! and i will correct my error. cheers from NYC.

By: Devrim Yaylalı

Devrim Yaylalı — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 21:09:51 +0000

Hi,
Thank you for your kind words on my blog. Just a quick note ex-T-ATF 166 Powhatan is commissioned in Turkish Navy and not in Turkish Coast Guard.

By: JED

JED — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 21:08:27 +0000

WHat you refer to as a foredeck is the Forecastle or in the vernacular – Fo’c'sle (FOLK-sull)