Contract renewal for UK emergency towing vessels – Fishupdate.com

Contract renewal for UK emergency towing vessels Published:  01 December, 2006

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) today announced the successful renewal of the contract to supply four emergency towing vessels (ETVs) for the UK to be managed by the MCA.

These are powerful and well equipped ships, which are on stand-by 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond to shipping incidents in their area.

The successful contractor, Klyne Tugs Ltd Of Lowestoft, provides four ETVs for the MCA based at four locations, but patrolling a wider area. Two are based in the English Channel, at Falmouth and Dover to cover the South West approaches and the Dover Straits respectively. The Anglian Monarch at Dover is jointly funded and operated with the French Government. Two are based at Stornoway and Shetland Islands. The fleet includes newly built vessels with a typical cost of approximately 20 million pounds.

Making the announcement, John Astbury, Chief Executive, MCA said:

“Letting of this renewed contract fulfils the Government’s commitment to the provision of all-year round ETV cover and demonstrates the importance we place on preventing the loss of life and protecting the marine environment.

In areas of high risk, these vessels will provide the first line of response to maritime accidents and the prevention of pollution.”

Toby Stone, Head of Counter Pollution at the MCA said: “Removing the threat of marine pollution is the primary role for the ETV’s.

Each vessel has been engaged in many operations during the existing contract where a ship has been towed to a place of refuge.

“These vessels are well suited to the job and the extremes of weather often seen in the sea areas in which they will work. Clearly prevention is better than cure, with the aim of using these excellent vessels to prevent actual marine pollution.

“The MCA look forward to working closely with Klyne Tugs Lowestoft, and with the masters and crew of the four emergency towing vessels(ETV) for the duration of the extended contract.”

The renewed contract starts from 1 October 2009 and will run for two years.

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