During February 2018 the tug MTS Viscount made a return visit to Poole Harbour to shelter from deteriorating weather conditions. The 1977-built twin screw ocean going tug, managed by Marine & Towage Services, was bringing a new linkspan bridge from the Dutch Ravestein ship yard destined for the Port of Heysham, where it will be used exclusively by Seatruck Ferries for its Dublin and Warrenpoint services, and is the third Ravestein linkspan installed at the Lancashire port in the past ten years.

The tug and tow arrived at Poole on 8 February and moored alongside New Quay South, with MTS Viscount later moving to the Nab Anchorage off the Isle of Wight awaiting orders. MTS Viscount had previously visited Poole last October to take the new Dublin port floating linkspan on the continuation of its delivery voyage from the Netherlands, having sheltered at the port from ex Hurricane Ophelia.

Report and photos by Kevin Mitchell