Goa’s Captain of Ports (COP) has ordered a new state-of-the art tug vessel which is being built at the cost of 5.65 crore in order to replace the existing one.
The new tug vessel is 12 metric ton bollard pull compared to the pulling capacity of only 4 metric ton bollard of the present vessel. The new vessel is being built at Mandovi dry dock in Pilgaon village.
The COP would also replace its patrolling speed boat. Both the existing tug vessel and patrolling speed boat are over thirty-years-old.
A tug vessel is used to tow away vessels stuck mid-sea or washed ashore due to technical problems such as in the event of failure of an engine.
The new tug vessel will have a fire fighter mounted on it – the facility not available with CoP. It will be ready within 240 days.
The new high speed boat is under construction at Goa shipyard in Vasco at the cost of 2.63 crore. The existing boat is too small to meet its present day requirements. “It’s speed is 4-5 knots while we need to check vessels cruising at the speed of 8-10 knots.
The number of private vessels cruising inland waters has also gone up. In the absence of a right speed boat the port authorities find it difficult to keep tabs on over speeding vessels.
In 300 days, the new speed boat is expected to be ready. Further it plans to replace its other outdated equipment but in the next phase of replacement.
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