The newest addition makes its long voyage from Abu Dhabi via Cape of Good Hope
Atlantic Towage & Marine Ltd.’s newest addition, The Ocean Shoalbuster, departed the Indian Ocean last month and continues its long delivery voyage hoping to reach its new home at the end of March. Ocean Shoalbuster, as the new name of the second-hand acquired 30-ton bollard pull tug suggests, is a Damen Shipyards vessel built to their ‘Shoalbuster’ 2609 design. Previously, the 215 gross ton tug named the MSC Nikki for Scottish owners had served a career particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from where on 26 January it sailed from Free Port, Abu Dhabi, on the Persian Gulf. The Damen shipyard ‘Shoalbuster’ design will be a versatile vessel, given its range of roles, including towing, mooring, pushing, anchor handling, dredge support, supplying, and other support activities. Its speed of 11.2 knots is derived from twin Caterpillar C32 engines and delivers a draft of only 2.6 m. This offers high maneuverability and is ideally suited to a variety of marine operations in shallow and deep waters.