Yeah most cycloidal drive tractor tugs work off the stern because the drives are generally mounted forward while the skeg is aft. An exception would Crowley Maritime's Response, which was built with the drives aft and the skeg forward. That's a great picture by the way, I actually got to take a ride on it when I was a little kid and it was brand new. The International Tug and Salvage Expo was held in Seattle and the Lindsey was on display there. My parents took me and somehow managed to talk their way onboard and I got to sit up in the pilot house for an assist job.

Her sleek bow line are very un-American for tug design and there are no fenders forward. Like Lanaud says, she must work only from the stern.
Great shot John.

Marc

Really nice looking tug. With all the rubber on the stern, I imagine she mostly uses her stern to push. Would love to see her operate. Thanks for posting the photo.