TOWLINES

Built by Iversen Flekkefjord in 1993, Thorax has been a regular sight in European waters and beyond for many years and at 45.48m LOA, 13.8m breadth, 24m air draught and 1,229gt is a substantial vessel sometimes towering over vessels it assists in shiphandling operations in addition to occasional involvement is some high-profile salvage operations.

Alfons Håkans’ fleet has seen expansion recently including purchase of two 126tbp Canadian built, ice-class AHTSs and this latest addition, renamed Thor, will be stationed in the port of Muuga (Tallinn).

As this edition of TOWLINES was being prepared Hardinxveld-Giessendam based Van Wijngaarden Marine Services announced the ordering of a second Damen Shoalbuster 3512 to be named Lingestroom. This will be Van Wijngaarden’s second Shoalbuster 3512 following on from the delivery of Noordstroom in April 2016.

Lingestroom will bring the number of Shoalbusters in the company’s fleet to five, the excellent reception Noordstroom received from clients giving Van Wijngaarden the confidence to go ahead with the order for vessel number two. Like its predecessor, it will be outfitted to serve the offshore wind industry, a sector seen as providing a strong source of demand and MJ looks forward to following progress of this latest project.

The French coastguard chartered ETV Abeille Languedoc was called into action recently after the 47,053dwt, 199m LOA general cargo vessel Saga Sky was holed in a collision off Dover.

The vessel broke down in the Dover Strait in storm conditions and subsequently issued a Mayday distress call when it collided with an anchored rock barge south west of Dover. Two RNLI lifeboats were dispatched to stand by the vessel which was taking on water and eleven of its 23 crew were airlifted to safety by coastguard helicopters which also responded to the distress call.

The ship relocated to a safe anchorage off Dungeness where the situation was stabilised and the following day, escorted by Abeille Languedoc, sailed to a shipyard in Dunkerque for repair.

Following a 12 month refit the 14m, twin-screw, IHC-built tug GPS Illyria is preparing for a new lease of life with GPS Marine. The refit for the tug, previously owned by Jan De Nul, included renewal of both main engines, auxiliary and alternator along with engine controls and electronics. Improved fuel efficiencies and emissions are reported for the 500bhp tug which has been coded under the SCV code for operations up to 20 miles offshore.

Equipped for a wide range of towing, pushing and support roles it will be employed in day to day lighterage operations and project support on the Thames and further afield when required.

By Peter Barker