The life of tugs

[Alan Snelson]

A few days ago I was in Bideford, North Devon and came across this very sorry and forlorn Tugboat ‘Ionia’. I have done just a tiny bit of digging in to her history and have posted a couple of links below for all you tug nuts.

It’s such a shame to see lovely old boats like this falling into disrepair. There was once a plan to convert her into a floating Cafe/Tearoom and planning permission had been granted but it all seems to have come to nothing. To my mind that is probably a good thing as It would be so much better to see her restored.

It is interesting to note that the deterioration seems to happen much more quickly as time passes (QE2 owners take note) ‘Ionia’ appears to have arrived at her present resting place in 2001 and at that time was a fully functioning and well maintained vessel. Pictures of her today show a marked difference from her condition in 2012.

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1614747

https://www.flickr.com/photos/42117802@N06/8434974282/in/photostream/

Some Pathe film archive here showing several other tugs and cargo vessels from the 60’s and at about 10 minutes in, ‘Ionia’ can be seen at work.

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=83097

[June Ingram]

Hi Alan -

Very interesting post about Ionia.  It is too bad that she is just sitting there.  Deterioration sets in much faster with no use than with use.

One couple, who are friends of mine, actually own a tug and maintain it and take it out for little cruises.  I do not know much about it, but there is a club or society for people who own tugs.  I shall have to ask them more about it.

June

[Clydebuilt1971]

I'd love to own a wee tug. If you couldnt get a berth then you could just tow another boat outa the way!!

 

[June Ingram]

I'd love to own a wee tug. If you couldnt get a berth then you could just tow another boat outa the way!!

 

I do like that reasoning !!

[Alan Snelson]

I'd love to own a wee tug. If you couldnt get a berth then you could just tow another boat outa the way!!

 

Might come in handy for a Midnight raid on Drydocks World too. 

[June Ingram]

Might come in handy for a Midnight raid on Drydocks World too. 

Most definitely !!   

[Adam Hodson]

Might come in handy for a Midnight raid on Drydocks World too. 

So I'm not the only one thinking that?

[June Ingram]

So I'm not the only one thinking that?

How many tug owners on The Forum ?   

[Adam Hodson]

How many tug owners on The Forum ?   

I'm not sure, but I think someone might notice if she dissapears, but then again, from how things are looking at the moment, maybe not...

[June Ingram]

I'm not sure, but I think someone might notice if she dissapears, but then again, from how things are looking at the moment, maybe not...

Hi Adam - Have you heard of Harry Potter's invisibility cloak ?  We need an extra large for our QE2 !!   

[Adam Hodson]

Yes I think we do (off topic)

[Lynda Bradford]

I found this website: Tugboat information.com with listings of companies and pictures of tugs. 

When QE2 had the oil contamination incident in 1974  Moran tugs Elizabeth Moran and Joan Moran were hired to tow the ship to Bermuda. Thought it was good to find this information about the tugs. 

Also of interest is this Tow Line magazine from 1969

[Chris Thompson]

My wife used to work at Seabulk based in Port Everglades. Her office overlooked the tugboats including the "Ship Docking Modules"!
These are very maneuverable having 2 "Z" drives positioned fore and aft.