I have delved into the shoebox for more on Salvanguard (ii) built in 1978 for the Tokyo Salvage Company. Semco acquired it in 1987 and ran it until 1998 as a salvage and towing tug.
Of 2,938 gross tons, it was fitted with two 6 cylinder MAN engines (built under license by Kawaski Heavy Industries) delivering 12,000 bhp through two controllable pitch props in nozzles. The tug was also fitted with two towing winches, a 5t bollard pull bowthruster, a 36 tonne deck crane and had 26 berths for ship's crew and salvors.
It was also fitted with fire fighting and salvage pumps and could deliver steam.
Its 1997 visit to Halifax was initially towing the oil rig Spirit of Columbus to Quebec City, stopping in Halifax so that the rig's thrusters could be removed, to reduce draft. The tow to Quebec City was marred somewhat by engine trouble on Salvanguard, meaning that the Quebec tugs had to do most of the towing work.
The tug returned to Halifax for engine work for ten days in September before heading to St.John's, NL.
Semco sold the tug soon after and it is now working as a North Sea research ship and named Geobay. It flies the Isle of Man flag, but is owned in Norway by DOF Subsea.
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