The vessels are to be renamed MCS Marlene and MSC Elly respectively.

The single screw 'Combi' tug Bargarth has been sold by Wijsmuller Marine Ltd in South Wales to Tuskar Shipping Ltd of Waterford. Built in 1966 by Richards Shipyard Ltd at Lowestoft, she is a vessel of 161 gross tons and 28.96m in length, powered by a Lister Blackstone main engine of 850bhp. A 500 hp, fully steerable, retractable bow thruster was installed in 1986.

TSA Tugs Ltd announced the decision to cease trading at the end of January 2002. The company have been under administration for sometime, after suffering crippling bad debts two years ago. Both of the company's tugs, Towing Diamond and Towing Wizard have been laid up pending their disposal.

The Londonderry Port Authority has withdrawn from port towage operations and offered for sale their twin screw ship-handling tug Strathfoyle. Originally built as the Clausentum for Red Funnel Tugs, she is a vessel of 334gt powered by Ruston 6RKCM main engines producing 2820bhp - for a bollard pull of 38 tons.

Strathfoyle is being offered for sale through the Yarmouth Shipping Company Ltd.

One of Britains oldest independent tug companies, J P Knight Ltd is to leave their offices in Rochester High Street.

As from the 4 March this year the company's address will change to; The Admiral's Offices, Chatham Historic Dockyard, Kent, ME4 4TZ.

All telephone, fax and Email, numbers and addresses will remain unchanged.