#Towage - In reporting news from Cork in December, at first glance the appearance of a tug surprisingly seemed to strongly suggest that of a Dublin Port tug, however this was clearly not to be, writes Jehan Ashmore.

As a pair of Dublin Port Company tug sisters, Beaufort and Shackleton sport a green hull likewise of Stevns Breaker. This transpired to be the tug of 70 bollard pull (bp) that was acquired by Cork based Doyle Shipping (DSG), a ships agency and logistics group. See report photo here, though upon closer inspection this tug does not feature distinctive brown exhaust pipes as of the Dublin pair.

It was during mainstream media coverage of the homecoming of L.E. Samuel Beckett from humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean, that this tug was seen employed in her new role. Also in attendance of berthing the OPV90 vessel was Rushbrooke based fleetmate Breedbank.

Since Afloat's report, Stevns Breaker has been renamed DSG Titan, becoming the first vessel to use the rebranded name DSG. The Doyle Shipping Group (DSG) name was introduced in late 2015. Previously they were Burke Shipping, a name widely known throughout Irish ports.

Prior to the renaming, the tug had served for Svitzer and under two names as referred in the towage news. The large towing group includes operations with the Port of London Authority, see recent report and photo of Svitzer London underway on the Thames. The estuary ports under control of LPA have reached record trade not seen since the financial crisis of 2008.

DSG Titan also shares the same year of build as of the 2010 built Dublin Port tug pair (see Ships Monthly, June issue that year). The Beaufort and Shackleton have each a 50 (bp) capability.

The sisters in tandem despite yesterday’s strong winds, demonstrated under the skill of their crews in towing the replica 19th century tallship, Jeanie Johnston. The famine-emigrant museum barque became the final ship to use the dry-dock in the capital. 

This involved a short passage in shifting berths on either side of the North Wall Quay Extension. The quay divides Alexandra Basin and that of the Liffey from where the tallship is temporary berthed.

Also keeping these tugs busy where larger commercial ships which were dispatched due to strong winds which notably battered Dublin Bay. Among the ships seeking assistance while berthing within the port was a ropax ferry from France.