A new coastguard tug for the north of Scotland will continue to be based in Orkney.
However, the 2283 tonne MV Ievoli Black is likely to be seen in the Minch more often than her predecessor as she is due to “regularly patrol her designated operations area.”
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has awarded a five year contract for the 70 metre vessel to Dutch company, Ardent .
Owned by Italian shipping firm, Marnavi, the ship will replace the MV Herakles at the end of the month.
Since the axing of the Stornoway vessel, the sole Scottish emergency tug has been based in the Northern Isles and very rarely used for incidents off the Western Isles.
The offshore anchor handler, Ievoli Black, served as an emergency towing vessel for
the Netherlands from 2010-
The tug is funded by the UK Government. Ministers announced earlier this year that they would guarantee funding for the next five years to support maritime safety in the area.
Reinstating a coastguard emergency vessel at Stornoway has been ruled out.
Calls for a second tug were renewed following the grounding of the Transocean Winner oil rig in Lewis this summer.
But the MCA say a consultation and independent review shows there is no need for an additional tug.
The coastguard tug in Stornoway was removed in 2011 under Westminster cost cutting.
The MCA’s maritime operations director, Richard Parkes, said: “Maritime safety is
always our priority. This is why we have secured a new emergency towing vessel to
protect the shores of north and north-
New coastguard tug will be based in Orkney
20 December 2016
