Klyne Tugs wins UK contract

International towage and salvage firm, Klyne Tugs of Lowestoft, has won a £19 million contract extension for the ongoing supply of Emergency Towing Vessels (ETV) to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) at strategic UK points.

The new deal takes the current eight-year deal beyond 2009 to September 2011 and lifts the total contract value to £95 million for the full term. Klyne supplies the MCA with the use of powerful tug vessels which are solely dedicated to patrolling the UK coastline 24 hours every day, year round, protecting it from marine accidents and pollution.

The current fleet of ETVs consists of four tugs strategically placed around the UK. These are changed between sectors when required and the vessels and crews regularly exercise with other Coastguard teams and all of the emergency services concerned with safety at sea.

John Astbury, MCA?s chief executive said: “I am very pleased to hear about the finalisation of the contract extension. The removal of the threat of marine pollution is the primary task for the ETV?s. Each vessel has been engaged in such operations during the existing contract. Clearly prevention is better than cure where removing such a threat means there is no actual marine pollution.

“The Maritime and Coastguard Agency look forward to working closely with Klyne Tugs Lowestoft and with the masters and crew of the four emergency towing vessels for the duration of the extended contract.”