MOD Tugs: Gone where?

Two former Ministry of Defence tugs disappeared without trace after being smuggled out of a Cornish port during the early hours of 3 March. The 151-tonne Dog class pair, Juliette Pride I (ex-Sheepdog, pictured) and Juliette Pride II (ex-Husky), had been detained at Newlyn after major defects were found by surveyors from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). They had 22 deficiencies relating to safety equipment. It is thought that the Tanzanian-flagged vessels, which are now owned by a Nigerian oil trader, made for Lagos. However, neither vessel is considered seaworthy enough to make the hazardous voyage, and their location remains unknown. GD