Anglian Sovereign makes a towing connection in heavy weather – by Jack Gaston
In the early hours of 19 March, Shetland Coastguard tasked the Emergency Towing Vessel ‘Anglian Sovereign’ to go to the assistance of the general cargo ship ‘Wilson Dover’, disabled with steering problems 45 miles north east of Cape Wrath.
The 3,269 dwt Barbados registered ship, loaded with a cargo of fertiliser, was trying to maintain its head in ferocious weather conditions by use of the bow thruster. Communications were difficult but it became clear that the vessel required a tow.
When Anglian Sovereign arrived on scene at approximately mid-day, the weather was south westerly 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 with rain. Visibility was moderate or poor with rough to very rough seas of up to 8m. Due to the weather conditions, the tug was unable to make a towage connection until conditions improved in mid-afternoon.
With great skill the master and crew of the ETV finally made a towing connection by maneuvering within close quarters and passing a high performance Dyneema towline. Wilson Dover was taken in tow under a commercial agreement and eventually redelivered to its owners in the safety of Kirkwall, in Orkney.
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