News / Troubled tugs return for trials
SHETLAND’S two troubled tugs have finally come back to the isles to undergo sea trials in Sullom Voe harbour.
The Bonxie and Solan, which cost the council £7 million three years ago, were undergoing sea trials with a tanker in the harbour on Friday.
Last summer the tugs had new fins fitted to their hulls to give them greater stability after they were pulled out of service when the Solan collided with the 76,000 tonne tanker Loch Rannoch in December 2011.
Crews refused to board the tugs after the incident, saying that it could have cost lives.
Since then work has had to be carried out modifying the complex operating consoles, delaying their reintroduction into the port until last week.
The SIC has other concerns about the Spanish-built vessels, including the high fuel cost of running tugs with such big engines.
The council is now looking at selling the tugs and changing the port back to a four tug operation, using smaller vessels.
SIC harbour board chairwoman Andrea Manson said: “We are keen to get these tugs up and running again, so the crew are familiarising themselves with what are now completely different tugs.
“We have not decided to sell them yet, but we have decided to go back to the oil industry to discuss whether they are willing to let us have a four tug operation.”
She said that the council hopes that the safety concerns raised by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico will make the industry more open to such an idea on safety grounds.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
