STATEMENT_OF_NEED_Tug_Services_Pisces_21OCT2026.pdf
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- Attached to
- PROVIDE TWO TUGS AND ONE PILOT NOAA SHIP PISCES
- Solicitation number
- 1333MK27Q0003
About this file
This is a Statement of Need for tug services required by NOAA for the NOAA Ship Pisces, a 209-foot Fisheries Survey Vessel with a displacement of 1,840 tons. The vessel is experiencing intermittent motor issues and requires tug assistance to safely dock and undock at the C/D pier at Marine Operation Center – Atlantic (MOC-A) in Norfolk, Virginia. The tight maneuvering area near multiple shoals and close proximity to other NOAA vessels at the pier necessitates precise and reliable propulsion support.
The technical requirement specifies two tugs of at least 600 horsepower each, or alternatively one larger tug with 1,200 horsepower, to conduct docking and undocking evolutions. A tug pilot without specialized certifications is also required to facilitate communications between the NOAA Ship Pisces and the tug operators. The contractor must provide flexibility to deploy one or two standby tugs without a pilot as deemed appropriate by NOAA. For docking evolutions, tugs shall meet Pisces near the Hampton Roads tunnel and escort the vessel approximately 400 yards into the MOC-A basin; for undocking, tugs shall assist from the MOC-A until Pisces reaches the Elizabeth River Channel. The service period runs from October 21, 2026, through November 30, 2026, with up to three undocking and docking evolutions anticipated. The October 21st schedule requires tugs to meet Pisces at 8:30 a.m. at MOC-A basin for undocking and later that day near Hampton Roads tunnel for redocking, though the statement requests flexibility with dates and times. The place of performance is the C/D berth at 439 W. York Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510, and Chesapeake Bay near the Hampton Roads tunnel.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
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| PC_Pilot_card_v1_1.pdf | ||
| Sol_1333MK27Q0003.pdf | ||
| 0501-20_A_PC_-_Emergency_Towing_Booklet_(public).pdf | ||
| WH-1313_Poster.pdf |
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Text version
STATEMENT OF NEED
Tug Service for NOAA Ship Pisces PURPOSE: NOAA Ship Pisces is experiencing intermittent motor issues and requires tug services to safely dock and undock at C/D pier at Marine Operation Center – Atlantic (MOC-A). Maneuvering between several shoals where the ship could run around and docking within 10 feet of another NOAA vessel at the pier requires precision and reliability of all propulsion systems. Tugs will be required to safely dock Pisces in the tight maneuvering area of the MOCA basin and pier. Without tugs the docking evolution would be unsafe with the potential for catastrophic consequences.
Pisces requires up to two tugs of approximately 600hp each or one larger tug with 1200hp to conduct docking and undocking evolutions. If using two tugs, one tug will be tied to the bow and the other tug will be tied to the stern. Along with the tugs, Pisces also requires a tug pilot to assist with communications with the tugs. No specialized classes are needed for the tug pilot. Pisces requires the flexibility to also ask for one or two standby tugs without a pilot if we deem this appropriate for undocking and docking evolutions.
For docking evolutions the tugs shall meet Pisces near the Hampton Roads tunnel. Tugs may then be requested to tie up to Pisces, send a pilot aboard, and begin transiting into the NOAA MOC-A basin. The tugs and pilot will then assist with docking Pisces at the C/D pier, starboard side to, which is about 400 yards from the Elizabeth River Channel. For undocking evolutions the tugs shall meet Pisces at NOAA MOC-A and may be requested to tie up and send a pilot aboard. The tugs will assist with undocking until the Pisces is safely in the Elizabeth River channel at which time the tugs will transit with Pisces on standby until after the Hampton Roads tunnel.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Two tugs requested with at least 600hp each to provide docking service to Pisces at NOAA MOC-A, Norfolk, VA, C/D berth. Tug pilot requested to assist with communication with tugs. One larger tug with 1200hp may be used as well.
See NOAA Ship Pisces specifications below:
Class and type: Fisheries Survey Vessel
Call sign: WTDL
Tonnage: 2,218 tons:
Displacement: 1,840 tons
Length: 209 ft (64 m)
Beam: 19.2 ft (15 m)
Draft: 19.4 ft (5.9 m)
DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE: October 21st, 2026 through November 30th, 2026. Tug assistance for up to three undocking/docking evolutions may be requested between October 21st through November 30th.
On October 21st two tugs shall plan to meet and tie up to Pisces at 8:30am at NOAA MOCA basin in the Elizabeth River Channel to undock the ship. Later in the day on October 21st, two tugs shall plan to meet Pisces near Hampton Roads tunnel to assist with docking back at the C/D berth at NOAA MOC-A.
Request flexibility with date and time of operation.
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE or DELIVERY ADDRESS: Pisces at C-D berth, 439 W. York St, Norfolk, VA 23510 and Chesapeake Bay near the Hampton Roads tunnel.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: None
NOAA Ship Pisces (R-226)NOAA Ship Pisces (R-226) Pascagoula, MS
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