ECTUG: Eastern Canada Towing, Ltd.

 

Meet Point Valiant, Vim, Vigour, Chebucto, Halifax

 

The Eastern Canada Towing has increased the power and manoeuvrability of its Halifax fleet through the purchase of a newly built vessel. ECTUG took delivery of its new $5.7 million azimuthing stern drive (ASD) harbour tug on December 31, 1998. Point Valiant replaces a much smaller tug, the 1962-built 24 tonne bollard pull single screw Point Vigour. Designed by leading Canadian naval architects Robert Allan and built by Ocean Industries Inc. of Quebec, the 24.4-metre Point Valiant is powered by twin 2,038bhp Mitsubishi S16R-MPTA main engines and has a bollard pull of 45 tonnes. The second of two identical Z-drive tugs from the Quebec manufacturer, Point Valiant's Niigata ZP-21 propellors can turn the vessel completely around for exemplary manoeuvrability.

"We were conscious of the need for an additional omni-directional tug to meet the growing demand being created by larger vessels now calling at the Port of Halifax," says ECTUG president Paul Ritcey. "Point Valiant is the perfect size and specification."

Point Valiant was built for operation in the harsh climate of the Canadian eastern seaboard, and at around 9 metres shorter than ECTUG's two other ASD tugs, Point Chebucto and Point Halifax, Ritcey says she is "particularly suitable for working in tight situations."

Established more than 70 years ago, ECTUG operates a total fleet of ten tugs. The addition of Point Valiant is helping to keep the company at the top of its game as the Port of Halifax grows. "Now we have three powerful modern tugs in our Halifax fleet of six boats," Ritcey says. ECTUG handles a wide variety of vessels including container ships, tankers, auto carriers and bulk carriers.