Dedication day for Falmouths new tug

The new

St Piran

was acquired by A&P Falmouth last summer, replacing the old

St Piran,

which left the port in September 2007 to fulfill a new role of floating tuna cages in Malta after 23 years of service in Falmouth.Formerly named the

Hallgarth

, Falmouth’s latest tug was built on the Clyde in 1979 and brings the port’s full complement of tugs up to three, operating 24 hours a day with a crew of three to manoeuvre vessels within Falmouth’s waters. It is anticipated that the new

St Piran

will make around 20 movements a month.

The new

St Piran has a top speed of 10 knots and is the Falmouth Dock’s fastest and most powerful tug, with 20.5 tons bollard pull. The 28m vessel is also incredibly manoeuvrable thanks to twin multi-directional propulsion units instead of a conventional rudder.

The tug was named at a ceremony on Queen’s Wharf by Ann Trudgen, The Mayor of Falmouth’s Consort, before being blessed by Rev. Mark Mesley, Chaplain of Falmouth’s Mission to Seafarers.

Peter Child, A&P Falmouth’s managing director said, ‘We’re very pleased with the performance of the new tug and to once again have a St Piran operating within the port is a symbol of the pride we take in our Cornish identity. Our tugs play a vital role in our operations, moving in the region of 720 large vessels a year in and out of Falmouth, so I’m delighted that we are back up to full capacity.

‘St Piran’s sister tug, Morgawr, has recently been acquired by the Port of Fowey and is appropriately named after the mythical Cornish sea giant spotted between Falmouth and Fowey. Its another great local connection that the sister ships with their new Cornish names will work together when four tugs are needed in Falmouth and was wonderful to see the Cornish sisters work together recently when RFA Argus entered port ahead of her overhaul.”

Dressed for the occasion in a Cornish tartan kilt, Mayor Mike Varney said, ‘In the two years since I have had the honour of being Falmouth’s Mayor, Ann has accompanied me on over 500 civic occasions but today I was delighted to join Ann as she see took centre stage in naming the new tug St Piran, which I hope will enjoy many years of service in Falmouth.’