Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) is currently building a Damen ATD 2909 Tug named Inyathi – Buffalo in English – to be delivered to the South African Navy in January 2016.
Now in the production phase, this is the second tug the SA Navy has ordered from DSCT. The first, named Imvubu – meaning Hippo – was delivered beginning July 2015.
These tugs are to replace two existing harbour and coastal tugs, De Neys and De Mist, built in 1969 and 1978 respectively. They will remain in service until the delivery of the second ATD. The new tugs are equipped to safely assist the SA Navy’s current and future fleet of vessels under all-weather, heavy sea, restricted visibility, day and night conditions within the confines of the Southern African ports and in coastal waters.
Image: DAMEN