The new tug replaces the Courageous (20t BP) and will work alongside the 40 tons bollard pull Calaisen. A sister ship from the same shipyard, the Chambon Noroit, will be stationed in Dieppe. Both tugs are owned by Chambon and operated under the French flag.

Somali pirates have freed the Russian built tugboat Svitzer Korsakov more than a month after it was seized off the African coast. It was reported that the tug was released on 17 March along with its crew after a ransom had been paid. Six crew members, a British captain, an Irish chief engineer, a Russian first officer and three Russian crewmen are said to be unharmed. (Maritime Journal Towline – February 2008).

Senior Salvage Master Capt. David Hancox passed away in March 2008 in Geelong, Australia. Captain Hancox was a well known figure in the salvage industry and over 25 years he worked extensively in casualty salvage and wreck removal and acquired a high level of technical proficiency. He was employed by a leading salvage company in the Far East where he became Senior Salvage Master and Salvage Manager. He was also responsible for a number of important books on salvage, including Reed's Commercial Salvage Practice volumes one and two.