TUGS & SALVAGE

Dockman gets going for Thames Towage

17 years ago

Thames Towage’ s new tug Dockman is a bit of a relief when compared with the company’ s older boat. While the tug, Ala was serviceable, MD Brian Allen explained that the Dockman’ s extended superstructure helps comfort no end. ‘ We had about four square feet between us inside the old boat’ he explains, which meant the four man crew had to get on very well.’

Originally the

Stamford Brook

, the 20m

Dockman

has, amongst its other virtues, a bollard pull of 8.5 tons from 312 twin turbo Dorman engines installed by previous owner PR Services, which invested some £200,000 in a refit that included not only the engines, gearboxes and drives, but also the bigger helm position and windows. Together these give not just the much needed extra comfort but also enable better viewing of operations from the bridge. PR also fitted

Dockman

with a pusher knee at the bow which means the tug is as versatile as it can be, especially when used in tandem with the two forward winches arranged midships.

Thames Towage then added extra features, including the 20 ton towing winch which adds to the general capability of the craft. The company also invested in new technology, putting in a complete range of modern electronics to make the operation more efficient. These included a second VHF DCS radio, AIS transponder /receiver, chart plotter, electronic compass, weather fax machine and a new autopilot, all supplied and fitted by Mantsbrite Marine.

The final upgrades have been ‘done on the hoof’ said Brian Allan, so as not to interrupt Dockman’s operations. He added that the very first journey the new tug made was to collect a barge from Lowestoft that was to be fitted out as holiday accommodation for a children’s charity. Thames Towage helped out through ‘a substantial discount’ (although it seems Mr Allan is a little shy of saying just how much in case he gets mistaken for a soft touch).

The Ala has made some interesting voyages itself, including a couple of runs to Scotland and one through the Bristol Channel. However, the most noteworthy had Thames Towage taking the Gothenburg, a wooden replica of an old Swedish man of war, up the Thames for a state occasion. As the tow rounded HMS Belfast the warship gave the Gothenburg a ten gun salute. ‘Unfortunately, we hadn’t been told and for one moment we assumed we were being shot at’, said Brian Allen.