A New Tug and Barge Service for Aggregates
Starting earlier this year, a new tug and barge combination has entered service between the Isle of Wight and the mainland for the transportation of sand and ballast. Harbrown Shipping Ltd of Newport, Isle of Wight has purchased a tug and barge to replace an elderly coaster on the trip between Marchwood and Newport.
A major consideration in choosing plant to carry out the work was the very shallow river Medina where the Newport berth is situated. The area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and vessels are required that can operate within a draft restriction of down to 2.2m.
The tug is a vessel previously well known in the Rotterdam/ Europort area, the Albatros, a vessel employed by BAB Vof to work with cranes and floating plant around the docks area.
It is a Damen StanTug 1906 built in 1989 powered by two Caterpillar main engines of 536bhp (total). Considerable work was carried out on the tug prior to starting the new service, including the addition of a flying bridge and new navigational and communications equipment. Renamed Albatros 4 the vessel is pushing the newly acquired barge Bison 4.
The latter is a seagoing barge of 1,400dwt built for use in the Baltic. In order to meet the draft restrictions in its new employment the barge normally carries only 600-700 tons.
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