Ajax goes on show at Southampton

The third generation of Harms AHTs followed in 2007

and

2008 with the sister ships

Janus

and

Ursus.

Another two newbuildings,

Uranus

and

Orcus, are expected for delivery in 2008

and

2009. Finally, two ships to be named Pegasus

and

Centaurus

are also due into service next year.

Owned by Norwegian operator Ostensjo Rederi A/S, the 10,340 horsepower vessel is a ‘state of the art’ Voith Schneider escort tug normally based on the west coast of Norway. Delivered in 2000, Ajax is a vessel of 41.60 metres in length with a static bollard pull of 96 tonnes. The tug is carries a Det Norske Veritas Escort Tug notation indicating that it is capable of generating dynamic steering forces in excess of 150 tonnes when operating at 10 knots. Ajax is extensively equipped for ship-h

and

ling, escort duties, fire fighting

and

pollution control. Installed aboard in a ‘garage’ in the superstructure is a complete outfit of oil containment boom

and

skimming equipment that can be deployed within minutes of arriving at a pollution incident.

Solent Towage Ltd currently has a contract with Esso to provide two powerful tanker-h

and

ling

and

escort tugs,

and

two smaller vessels for line h

and

ling

and

other towage assistance work at the terminal. The tugs currently engaged at Fawley Silex

and

Thrax conduct active, tethered, escorting for all vessels in transit between the terminal

and

the seaward limits of the port.