Escort Tug Cutaway 13" X 17"

This is an escort tug in Prince William Sound, one of a fleet purpose built to ensure safe passage to the oil tankers that carry crude oil from the Alaska pipeline terminal to refineries along the coasts of the Pacific.

These monster tugboats are some of the largest and most powerful in the world, each with over 11000 horsepower and capable of hundreds of tons of pulling power. Each has a complement of seven crew at all times day and night. They have over 90000 gallons of fuel capacity.

Because of the z-drive tractor tug propulsion package, they are incredibly nimble for vessels of this size, and can move in any direction. The propulsion system enables them to use indirect towing, turning the hull at an angle as it is dragged by a moving ship - which would be incredibly dangerous for a conventional tugboat - to apply more even braking or turning power to a ship in distress than the engines and propellers can on their own.

There will be 500 signed, numbered prints in this limited edition.

This work will be used as an illustration in Tom's Prince WIlliam Sound book, due out in 2025.

Artist: Tom Crestodina