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Klyne Tugs were a relatively unknown towing company who,
like others, had purchased hardware when it became available
at moderate prices until they gained the MCA contract to
provide emergency towing services round the UK. This service
was required by the government after the loss of the Braer
at the Southern point of the Shetland Islands in 1993.
To support this service they
had a number of ships built in the far east and utilised the
best of their second hand tonnage. They also purchased one
of the Maersk L Class which became the Anglian Earl and
which has been used for general towing duties and well as
supporting the Coastguard operations. (Written February
2010)
The contract with MCA lasts
until some time in 2011.
At some point I think in
2010 Klyne Tugs were purchased by JPKnight, who usually bill
themselves as Britain's oldest towing company. I'm not
actually sure that this is true since I found records in
Aberdeen of steam tugs working there in 1820 odd. However,
below is the fleet as purchased, and Klyne Tugs is consigned
to one of the pages of history.
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