“Right on the heels” or for a better term, in the wake of the RSD 2513’s VB-048 and 049 (not to forget the VB-047 at London just before) Redwise has successfully and safely completed the delivery voyage of two brand new ASD2312 harbour tugs, the VB-651 and VB-652, from Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. How it all worked out is a mystery of the seas, and of course astute seamanship, but both arrived on the same day, almost at the same time on two different continents. The tugs departed together in January from Vietnam with a bunker call in Singapore, before splitting up. The VB-651 went South to proceed via Sunda Strait, Port Louis and Cape Town to Abidjan, while the VB-652 first provided a guided tour for the Boluda management in Singapore, showing the vessel at her best. She subsequently departed for Rotterdam, proceeding to the Arabian Sea to pick up her security team for the passage through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Whereas the first 1.000 engine service for the VB-651 was carried out in Cape Town, for the VB-652 this was in Boluda’s home turf at Malaga.

The gods were with the tugs on the voyages and played their part. Whether it were Thor, Zeus, Poseidon, Jupiter, Indra or others we will never know, but they both all played their role: Poseidon for the VB-651 crossing the equator, but one of them also closer to Africa with Cyclone GEZANI making acquaintance between Port Louis and the South African coast, necessitation slowing down to let this moody weather phenomena pas well ahead. Not to be outdone, Storm DANA pestered the VB-652, one of the many that caused unusual weather in Spain this winter and necessitating the VB-652 to seek shelter. Her predecessor the extratropical Storm Leonardo had previously played havoc requiring the VB-047 to seek sheltering for weather, but far worse, causing massive flooding’s in Portugal and Spain.

Having gone through all this and then still for the VB-651 and VB-652 arriving on the same day with two completely different routes, Oceans and continents is simply just how it worked out and more importantly, respecting the weather and sea without taking undue risk. Not only judging from the pictures but more so from our own best knowledge, this latest duo from a complete quintet harbour tugs arriving from Vietnam in Europe, stood up to it very well as well. A credit to the tradesmen building them as well.

For a lot of seaman this may not seem uncommon though, remembering well on leaving Long Beach after taking bunkers and hardly seeing any vessel for the next couple of weeks, before it all converges again near Japan, any many similar crossings.

Redwise likes to thank Boluda Towage for once again placing its trust in us and our dedicated crews. At the same token we want to thank our loyal crewmembers, with in excess of 70 seafarers permanently employed together with contracted colleagues who take it upon them to deliver these vessels across the oceans. Redwise is a Dutch maritime service provider, market leader in global ship delivery of vessels under own power and on their own keel. In addition to this, we provide crew management, deep sea pilotage, and the operation of the survey vessels ARCTIC and BALTIC. Known for taking responsibility, commitment, hands-on approach, experienced personnel employed by Redwise both on-shore and at sea, with a practical problem-solving mind set, we are proud to support ship owners and shipyards cross a wide range of vessel types and projects on- and over the seven seas. Meet us at www.redwise.com

(Photo: Ruud Zegwaard)