Vessel Management Services to Build New Escort Tug

(Seattle; June 4, 2001) – Vessel Management Services signed an agreement Wednesday with Marco Shipyard in Seattle to build a new advanced Protector class tug, which will be used to escort and assist oil tankers in Puget Sound. It is scheduled to be completed in May 2002.

Seattle-based Vessel Management Services, a subsidiary of Crowley Maritime Corporation, designs, builds and maintains ownership of vessels for Crowley, or other third parties. Over the years, the company has developed some of the most sophisticated escort and assist tugs in the world, which are now deployed by Crowley in Alaska and on the West Coast.

The new tug features twin Voith Schneider 32G II/250 cycloidal propellers, powered by two Caterpillar 3608 DITA engines, and a unique high lift and streamlined hull designed to meet the indirect forces and speed requirements of the tankers operating in Puget Sound. The hull is derived from a design for the tug Boxer and was developed by Bukser of Berging, Norway.

The tug will be 129.5 feet long, 45.5 feet wide and 24.25 feet deep. It will have direct bollard pull of 150,000 pounds and indirect forces in excess of 340,000 pounds at 12 knots.

Oakland-based Crowley, founded in 1892, is primarily a family- and employee-owned company mainly engaged in worldwide logistics, liner services, contract towing and transportation, energy support services, ship assist and escort services, vessel management and petroleum and chemical marine transport. Additional information about Crowley its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com.

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