Goa to get new Pehalwan tug
PTI, PANAJI | 14 August 2013 16:41 IST
The operation of salvaging vessels held up off Goa shore will now get a boost with the State government deciding to replace its ailing three-decade-old tug boat here.
Captain of Ports Department has requisitioned Rs 5.5-crore-worth tug boat ‘Pehalwan-1’ that will replace the existing ‘Pehalwan’ which has long outlived its life expectancy.
The tug will be stationed near Panaji, so that it can quickly respond to the calls of distress.
The new boat will be commissioned in mid-September, a senior CoP official said today.
In addition to the tug which can pull heavy ships, the department is also adding a high-speed patrol vessel to its fleet for surveillance and interception of suspicious vessels.
‘Pehalwan’ tug which has served the State for almost three decades will be scrapped and auctioned in October 2012, once the new ship takes charge.
Officials explained that tug is usually used to tow the vessels which are struck mid-sea due to technical snags or total failure of the engine.
The new tug will have a bigger capacity. The current one can tow only four tonnes but the new one will be able to tow 12 tonnes.
Officials said the new tug would be equipped with fire-fighting and oil spill dispersion equipment.
