Business Sectors
Contents
Register to read more articles.
Two bodies recovered after Scottish tugboat capsizes
Two seafarers have died after a tugboat capsized as it escorted a small cruise ship into port near the port of Greenock on the west coast of Scotland
The tug, operated by Clyde Marine Services, overturned as it was assisting Hebridean Island Cruises’ small cruise vessel Hebridean Princess into port at East India Harbour around 15:30 on 24 February 2023.
Rescue vessels from the UK Coastguard, Police Scotland and the UK’s Ministry of Defence attended the accident site, with the first rescue vessel arriving as the hull of the tug was still visible above the waterline.
Two crew members on board did not survive the accident and police later recovered their bodies from the water.
Confirming the response to the incident, an HM Coastguard representative told told International Tug & Salvage that Coastguard rescue teams from Helensburgh and Greenock along witih a lifeboat from Helensburgh Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the Coastguard helicopter from Prestwick were sent to assist and searched the area around the capsized tug off Custom House Quay in Greenock.
“Multiple vessels on the Clyde in the vicinity of the incident also responded, including a Ministry of Defence Police vessel,” the service said.
The Coastguard said its involvement in the surface search finished at 20:00 local time and Police Scotland continued the operation. A Police Scotland marine unit was seen out on the water on Saturday morning, 25 February, and divers reportedly joined the search later the same day. The bodies were discovered around 13:40 on Saturday afternoon.
Clyde Marine Services said it was “deeply saddened” by the loss of the two crew members. A spokesman told the BBC “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the two men at this most difficult of times.
“The company is fully co-operating with the official investigations which are ongoing.”
A spokesman for the British Tugowners Association told International Tug & Salvage, “Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the two crewmembers who sadly lost their lives. We also thank those who assisted in the search and rescue efforts.
“The police and other authorities have launched an investigation and it is right that they are given the time and space to do so.”
The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch oversees investigations for maritime incidents in UK waters.
Member of Scottish Parliament for Greens West Scotland Ross Greer commented, “This is devastating news. All of our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of those involved,” he said.
“I also pay tribute to the coastguard, RNLI and all those who assisted with the search and rescue effort. Investigators should now be given the space needed to look into the circumstances of this terrible incident.”
Unconfirmed reports said the tug was Biter, which operated regularly from the port. The vessel is the smallest and oldest tugboat in the Clyde Marine Services fleet.
According to the Scottish company, Biter is a 1982-built tugboat with conventional propulsion, an overall length of 16 m, a beam of 5 m and a bollard pull of 10 tonnes.
Riviera Maritime Media’s TUGTECHNOLOGY returns 23-24 May 2023 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Use this link for further information and to register your interest
Related to this Story
Events
Offshore Wind Webinar Week
22 Sep 2025
BST - ONLINE
Maritime Decarbonisation, Europe: Conference, Awards & Exhibition 2025
30 Sep 2025Amsterdam
Offshore Support Journal Conference, Americas 2025
07 Oct 2025Rio de Janeiro
© 2024 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.
