Sea-Buffalo Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

A towing vessel slated to transport one of the Royal Navy's retired frigates from Portsmouth has been held by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) due to significant safety concerns. The tug, HIBERNIA, arrived at Portsmouth Harbour last week in preparation to tow the Type 22 frigate CORNWALL to a decommissioning site in Swansea. However, upon inspection, MCA officials determined that HIBERNIA posed a severe safety risk for the intended towing operation. In response to these findings, Kent-based GPS Marine, the tug's operator, has dismissed the vessel's Russian crew and is organizing a return to the tug's home port for necessary repairs.

In a dramatic maritime incident, a barge towing operation encountered disaster off the coast of Harwich when the barge capsized, releasing its cargo of granite blocks into the waters. The incident occurred in the early hours of October 7, 2012, around 2 a.m., when the tugboat 'Hibernia' alerted the Thames Coastguard for assistance. The vessel, measuring 122 metres in length, succumbed to adverse conditions, resulting in the loss of its considerable 20,000 tonnes load. Responding swiftly, the Coastguard's Duty Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer commenced monitoring the situation closely to manage potential environmental impacts. Meanwhile, the 'Hibernia' remained on standby, awaiting the arrival of a survey vessel to assess the situation further.

On October 30, 2010, at approximately 6 p.m., the Dutch rescue vessel 'Jeanine Parqui' was dispatched to assist the tugboat 'Hibernia,' which was situated north of the Northern pier in Hoek van Holland. Initially, the alert indicated that a medical evacuation (medevac) was required. However, upon arrival, the crew discovered that a fire had ignited onboard the 'Hibernia,' and one crew member was suffering from smoke inhalation. Emergency services, including an ambulance and firefighting team, quickly arrived at the tug's berth. The intoxicated individual was successfully transported to Berg harbour and subsequently taken to a local hospital by 7 p.m. Meanwhile, the fire, which was caused by a ruptured hydraulic pipe, was brought under control. A team of six firefighters was dispatched to the 'Hibernia' to ensure complete safety and confirm the fire was extinguished. The entire operation concluded at 8 p.m., showcasing the swift response of emergency personnel in a critical situation.