First new Milford tug in trouble
Svitzer Waterston, the first of a fleet of brand new tugs to serve LNG shipping due to commence shortly at Milford Haven, had to be withdrawn from service just a few days after arriving at the port. The tug suffered a grounding incident whilst on trials and has had to be taken to dry dock at Birkenhead to have possible damage to the propulsion units fully investigated. Milford Haven Port Authority stated that the tug was able to return to a berth without assistance but the matter is being fully investigated and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is involved.
The news was a great disappointment to all concerned at Milford Haven.
Svitzer Waterston
is the first of the new nine tug fleet to be delivered and the first of six Robert Allan designed RAstar terminal tugs to be completed by Astilleros Freire in Spain. It is understood that the 7,880bhp vessel had performed exceptionally well during acceptance trials and exceeded the 92 tons bollard pull requirement by a healthy margin.
The other tugs in the series are due for completion at regular intervals and will also be joined by three more brand new tugs due to be handed over at a Chinese shipyard in the very near future. Maritime Journal will be following the progress of those deliveries and reporting further on this important fleet, which will be the most powerful and up to date in the world.
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