The South African Navy took delivery of a second South African-built Damen ATD Tug 2909 at the naval base in Simon’s Town, Cape Town, February 4, 2016.
Escorted by SA Navy’s existing six tugs, Inyathi, as the tug was named, was welcomed into the naval fleet with a traditional sail past.
Inyathi, meaning buffalo, is the second Damen ATD Tug 2909 in a two vessel replacement contract awarded to Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT). The first, named Imvubu, which translates to hippo, was delivered in July 2015.
The two new tugs will be deployed for towing, mooring and fire-fighting operations for the South African Navy’s current and future fleet of vessels within the confines of the Southern African ports and in coastal waters. Inyathi and Imvubu join two Damen Stan Tugs delivered in 2006 by DSCT, then known as Farocean Marine.
South African Navy’s Project Officer Commander Hermann van Geems said: “We’re are very happy with the result of this project. Imvubu has certainly proven her worth over the last 6 months and we expect the same from her sister vessel.”
The Cape Town subsidiary of Damen Shipyards built the registered SAMSA Class VIII vessels with a South African workforce in keeping with governmental imperatives to create and maintain local job opportunities.
DSCT Chairman Sam Montsi said: “We are proud that the local content in the two Damen ATD Tug 2909 tugs amounts to over 50%. The construction of these two vessels has also contributed to South African skills development and job creation through Damen Shipyards Cape Town’s apprenticeship programme.”
According to Damen, the 29-meter ATD Tug 2909 has a bollard pull of 43 tonnes and reaches a maximum speed of 13.2 knots. They were further outfitted with SA Navy equipment to ensure equipment duplication and maintenance saving.
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