Smit Zwarte Zee — Custom LEGO® Deep-Sea Tug Model

A 1:40 scale tribute to Smit’s flagship ocean tug from 1963

• Commissioned by: KONAJRA (model display)
• Scale: 1:40
• Model Length: 190 cm
• Built: 2014
  

About Smit Zwarte Zee

• The Smit  Zwarte Zee, launched in 1963, was the third and final tug to carry this iconic name in the Smit Towage fleet. Built by J. & K. Smit’s Scheepswerven in Kinderdijk, she was one of the most advanced and powerful ocean-going tugs of her time—renowned for her elegant profile, high bollard pull, and long-range capabilities.
• She served in international deep-sea towage and offshore support well into the 1980s, and remains one of the most beloved vessels in Dutch maritime history.
  

Real Vessel Specifications

• Launched: 3 August 1963
• Builder: J. & K. Smit’s Scheepswerven, Kinderdijk, Netherlands
• Length overall: 77.5 m
• Beam: 12.6 m
• Draft: 6.6 m
• Gross tonnage: approx. 1,539 GT
• Propulsion: 2× Werkspoor diesel engines (~9,000 hp total)
• Top speed: approx. 16 knots
• Bollard pull: approx. 95 tons
• Service: Ocean towage, salvage, offshore support (1963–1980s)
  

Why This Model Stands Out

• A rare subject, faithfully captured
  The Zwarte Zee (1963) is one of the most iconic tugs in Dutch maritime history, yet it’s rarely modeled in LEGO®. This build brings her back to life with precision and respect for her heritage.
• Sculpted for realism
  The curved bow, flowing deck lines, and sloped superstructure were carefully recreated using advanced brick techniques, making the model feel as fluid as the real vessel.
• Authentic proportions at display scale
  At 1:40 scale and 120 cm long, the model balances size and detail perfectly—large enough to capture technical complexity, yet compact enough for display.
  

LEGO® Model Highlights

• Impressive scale: Built at 1:40 scale, approx. 190 cm in length
• Recognizable profile: Features her single central funnel, raised bridge, long forecastle, and streamlined hull
• Fully detailed deck: Includes towing winch, mooring gear, lifeboats, railing, mast, and wheelhouse structure
• Authentic livery:
• Rendered in Smit’s classic black hull, white superstructure, and black with blue funnel

The Build

• Commissioned in 2014 by Heijkoop Trading, the model was constructed as a tribute to one of the most iconic tugs ever built in the Netherlands. It combines advanced building techniques with careful research and proportions, recreating the vessel’s strength and grace in LEGO® bricks.

Interested in Your Own Model?

Interested in commissioning a LEGO® model of your official vessel—be it ETV, patrol craft, lifeboat, or service ship? KONAJRA specializes in creating high-fidelity scale models tailored for training, display, or maritime heritage purposes.