Looking back at the types of tugs being introduced in Britain two decades ago recalls a significant tug building capability but with yards beginning to suffer decline. Famous names such as Richard Dunston and Cochrane were still in production but were not to survive much longer. The list of tugs being delivered during 1987 still contained a sizeable portion of single and twin-screw tugs with conventional screw propulsion systems.

The azimuthing stern drive (ASD) tug, which is now by far the most popular tug design, was first introduced to Britain and Europe in 1978 with the purchase by J P Knight of the second hand, Japanese built 'Kinross', which was sold only this year. Attempts to develop ASD tugs in Britain were met with mixed results and just a few examples were included in the 1986/87 build list. Voith Schneider tractors continued to develop and remain popular with tug owners working within the confines of enclosed dock systems and terminal operators in the early days of the more sophisticated escort tug.

Since their formation in 1963, Netherlands based Damen Shipyards have always had an innovative approach to tug and workboat design and many interesting examples of their work have appeared in these pages. In 1993 Damen introduced its first standard built ASD Tug 3110, a product that was to inspire many other designers and that continues to be produced to this day. Since that first ASD, Damen has introduced and continue to develop a whole range of tugs of this type from the 24m, shiphandling, ASD 2411 with a 70 tons bollard pull to much larger vessels for terminal duties.

Maritime Journal has also followed the growing popularity of designs from the Canadian naval architect Robert Allan with great interest. Over the past decade in particular, what started in Vancouver with several highly successful designs for local use, has developed into a worldwide venture. At the present time it is estimated that some 200 tugs around the world are being constructed to a wide range of Robert Allan designs.  

The dredging and marine construction sector, of particular interest to many Maritime Journal readers, has also placed heavy demands on designers and shipyards to produce suitable tugs to serve its very particular needs.

Regretably there are few UK yards still in existence to build for local operators. Hepworth Shipyard on Humberside continue to produce interesting and specialised tug/workboats for the Holyhead Towing Company and MacDuff are beginning to make an impact on the market. During the life of Maritime Journal we have seen the Damen Shoalbuster introduced and its continued development into a fully fledged, shallow draft, deep sea tug capable of providing extensive supporting services onsite.

Marine journalist and photographer Jack Gaston is MJ's regular Tugs & Towage correspondent.