Jenkins Marine’s powerful, twin screw tug Handfast has been in Guernsey this week assisting the Brittany Ferries 157m Barfleur successfully dock at St Peter Port. The operation was a berthing trial that Brittany Ferries hopes will boost support for its ambition to become an operator to serve the islands’ freight and passenger networks.
Handfast is a twin-screw tugboat, certificated under the MCA Workboat Code of Practice for operation up to 60 nautical miles from a safe haven for general operations. Built by Meyer Shipyard, she is a unique design being the heaviest build Damen Stan style Tug constructed for its time, and perfect to provide support for such a large vessel as the 900 passengers and 590 car capacity Barfleur.
Crowds gathered on top of the White Rock terminal in Guernsey, next to the Yacht Club and along the Castle Emplacement to watch the Barfleur slowly make a turn to port and successfully ease into its designated berth east side of the New Jetty and then back onto the “ro ro” ramp, carefully watched over by Handfast.
You can find out more about this story and view video footage of the operation at the following sites:
Guernsey Press: https://guernseypress.com/news/2024/04/25/watch-barfleur-berthing-trial-goes-without-a-hitch/
Island FM: https://www.islandfm.com/news/guernsey/barfleurs-trial-docking-in-guernsey-a-success/
Strong and reliable our tugboat Handfast is available for towage, ploughing and harbour support services throughout northern Europe. If you have any requirement for her services, please feel free to contact us.
If you have a requirement for marine operations in shallow or near shore projects, please feel free to get in touch to see where we can help. Alternatively, you can find out more about our specialist vessels here: https://jenkinsmarine.co.uk/our-vessels/