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CC Shipyards Harbor Tractor Tug

Please check out the 4 tutorial videos. They will help with the use and maneuvering of the tug. The Tug is designed to be as realistic as possible. Which can be complex, but rewarding. Enjoy.

Description:
This is a twin engine forward azipod tractor tug. It is based on real ships but has a unique design. The tug is designed for maneuverability and capable ship handling. The drive system is electric with dual 2 cylinder inline modular 3x3 diesel engines. These engines are automatic using my F.A.D.E.C (full authority digital engine controller). The diesel generators will automatically start and run. The engines auto throttle to maintain battery level providing for optimal fuel efficiency. Once the batteries are charged the engines will automatically shut off. The electric drive system offers near instant responsiveness.

The azipods operate in a 180 degree arc. This allows for exceptional maneuvering, including strafing. The system, while complicated, is intuitive after a short period of use.

The Tug is designed for a 2 person crew and is comfortably appointed with:

-2 staterooms featuring a birth, tv, seating, and ample storage
-The staterooms are separated by 2 walls providing for a quiet environment for sleeping and relaxing
-The common area features a couch and tv, kitchen, and dining area.
-The main floor also includes a full head with shower.


The Bridge:

-The greenhouse style bridge offers exceptional visibility
-The pilot seat and console rotate in a 180 degree arc offering the ability to always face the work.
-The console Feature 2 azipod gauges showing the current azipod position
-Inboard of the gauges are the azipod control panels. The feature up/down arrows for increasing thrust forward and aft.The left/right arrows control the azipod position
-The center panel is the thrust control. It features 2 bar gauges showing the forward and reverse thrust. The left button on this panel is the zero thrust panel. This button will completely stop both props. The button to its right is the sync button. It allows you to command the thrust of both azipods with the port throttle.
-The panel rearward of the port azipod gauge is the winch and center panel. The azipod center button commands the azipod to return to midships. The port panel has the bow winch controls. The starboard panel has the stern winch controls.
-The next panel on the left armrest is the lighting panel.Three of the buttons command the spotlights. The last button is multifunctional and commands the deck lights. Press once for white lights, again for red lights, and again to shut the deck lights off.
-The panel opposite on the right armrest is the dimmer and depth panel. This panel shows the depth below the keel. It also allows you to dim or brighten the cockpit lights. The last button allows you to change the cockpit lights from white to red to off.
-The foot panel is below in the foot well. It is your control for the seat motion. Left, right and center.
-The overhead panel is as follows: autopilot keyboard, AP toggle and indicator, Time to waypoint and distance. The next panel is the bearing to, monitor on, clear waypoints, and Foghorns. The Next panel is the Radar. Range up/dn, speaker volume on/off, and monitor toggle.


Winches:
-This tug features a bow and stern winch.
-The bow winch is used for braking and ship positioning maneuvers
-The stern winch can easily tow 500,000 KG loads at 6 knots
-The winches can be commanded from either on deck at the winch or from the bridge. In order to do this though the buttons must be off before commanding from the other station.

Maneuvering:
Azipod operation can be daunting at first but becomes natural after some practice. In order to steer the ship you should leave one azipod centered and turn the other up 45 degrees. For example to turn to port you would command the starboard azipod to go out. The autopilot works off of the starboard azipod. The port azipod remains midships and the starboard pod goes in and out for turning.

For tight zero turning within the ship’s length it can be accomplished with asymmetrical thrust. Commanding the port pod forward and the starboard pod into reverse will cause a right turn. The opposite is true for a port turn.

The ship can also strafe sideways for maneuvering and for pushing ships. This is accomplished by commanding the outside pod out to 90 degrees. This will naturally rotate the ship due to the center of thrust being ahead of the center of gravity. To counter this the other pod should be commanded either forward or aft. For example if the starboard pod is 90 degrees out and the bow of the ship is turning to port. You would want to increase the port thrust while it is at midships. This counters the turning moment.

Refueling:
Refueling is accomplished to the starboard side of the stern winch. The panel has 2 gauges, one for the port and one for the starboard tank. The 2 buttons command the valves for the port and/or starboard tanks.




The startup procedure is based on my experience with aircraft and watching videos of cold starts on tugboats.The ship will spawn in the cold configuration. The only lights on will be guide lights. This saves electricity.


Startup:
1. Open the rear door. The guide lights will illuminate dimly. Follow them downstairs to the mid decks. Then turn right and follow the light to the engine room. The last guide light is at the main engine room control panel.

2.Use either or both (recommended) top flip switches to select battery bank(s) A and/or B.

3.Below those switches flip on both generator switches. The engines are auto on/off. The gen switches allow the generators to charge the batteries.

4. Turn the key, and press the Master power button.

5. Turn off the key to secure the Master

6. You will notice the lights come on and the guide lights shut off.

7. Turn around and check the breaker panel. All switches should be on and indicating green.

8. Head to the cockpit

9. While seated look up and turn on the moving map screen.

10. To the right of the panel is the radar on switch Select that and the other monitor will come on.

11. To move forward you can either increase both pod thrusts or select the “Sync” and only increase the port thrust.

12. To stop either select the “Zero” button or decrease the thrust.

13. Forward thrust is indicated as green. Red is neutral thrust and yellow is reverse.




Permissions:
-Please do not re upload my creations
-If you use microcontrollers or parts from my creations on your content please credit CaptainCockerels

Feel free to contact me with questions.

Acknowledgements:
-Autopilot is a modified version of MrNjersey's
-Nav light control unit is a modified version of MrNjersey's
-Shady's Radar

I believe that is the only work that I have used from others. If I have forgotten to credit anyone please notify me so that I may credit you. Thank you.