Old/New Tug for the Tyne

[Mike]

How is it the Tyne ends up with all the old tugs?
I see we have the newly named 'Svitzer Sword' due in the Tyne on the 20th March, but her name is the only thing new.
She was built in 1982 as the 'Sun Thames' at McTay Marine Bromborough for Howard Smith Towage Ltd
Then in 2001 was moved to Adsteam tugs Ltd
Then in 2006 moved to Humber tugs and re-named 'HT Sword'
Then in 2009 moved to Svitzer Tugs and re-named 'Svitzer Sword'
At 369 tons she is not small with Two Ruston engines giving 2640 BHP and a Bollard pull of 30 tons.
I wonder if she is here permanent?
Mike
 8-)

[Chris Fahey]

Just seen a couple of pics of her as HT Sword she has firefighting capabilities like Phoenix Cross, haven't they been having problems with her of late?

[Mike]

Hi Ed
The 'Phoenix Cross' is another old tug built back in 1993 and although she has a higher 3890BHP and a 41 ton Bollard pull she is infact lighter at 296 tons than the 'Svitzer Sword' at 369 tons.
Mike

[Brian Cawkwell]

Hi Mike and Ed , I heard the other day , when Hoegh Chenai was being brought in that the Rowan garth lost an engine for a short time , may be the tugs need dry docking as on the PTA scedule the pheonix is not down as leaving yet, or could she be coming in for a special job !!??

Brian

[Guest]

Ed-Hunter wrote:
Just seen a couple of pics of her as HT Sword she has firefighting capabilities like Phoenix Cross, haven't they been having problems with her of late?

Hi Ed

Yes she had a mechanical problem the other week as she was due to assist with the movement of the Ice Maiden 1 - move had to be abandoned.

Regards

[Guest]

Hi Mike

At least it will be something different to photograph  :-o

Regards

[Guest]

Hi Brian

Well they will definitely need three Tugs for Lusty's arrival on the 23rd - so if one of the girls is feeling unwell, that may be the answer  :lol:

Regards

[Mike]

Hi Steve
Looks like you will get plenty of chances to take pictures of 'Svitzer Sword'  as 'Yarm Cross' departing for the Tees on the 25th at 12.00 firm on Tyne shipping list.
Regards
Mike  :-)

[Guest]

Tynesider wrote:
Hi Steve
Looks like you will get plenty of chances to take pictures of 'Svitzer Sword'  as 'Yarm Cross' departing for the Tees on the 25th at 12.00 firm on Tyne shipping list.
Regards
Mike  

Hi Mike

That will be  a shame, I like the little Tug, but there again she did come up from the Tees  :lol:

Regards

[Mike]

Hi Steve
You may be photographing even less!
'Svitzer Sword' due to leave the Tyne on the 29th for Grimsby
'Phoenix Cross' due to leave the Tyne 0n the 28th for the Tees
Hope their is no emergencies! or a ship wants three tugs!
Regards
Mike :-)

[Guest]

Tynesider wrote:
Hi Steve
You may be photographing even less!
'Svitzer Sword' due to leave the Tyne on the 29th for Grimsby
'Phoenix Cross' due to leave the Tyne 0n the 28th for the Tees
Hope their is no emergencies! or a ship wants three tugs!
Regards
Mike

Hi Mike

Yes I noticed that and thought to myself that perhaps the Tyne is now only a 'two tug river' (2 horse town!).

Regards

[Mike]

Hi Steve
Sorry one tug,It gets worse, Yarn Cross is going to the Tees for repairs on the 25th until the end of the month.
Regards
Mike :-(

[Derrick Johnson]

Silly really isn't it considering HMS ILLUSTRIOUS took all four tugs today. :-o