A TUG THAT PUNCHES ABOVE HER WEIGHT
BY KEITH INGRAM
A
fter the very successful launching and delivery of the 15m tug PT May to Brisbane last year, the Whangarei shipyard of ShipCo, has just launched a new sister ship also destined for Pacific Tug, Australia.
Pacific Tug, Australia, is a family owned and operated Australian business established in 1964 by the first generation brothers Con, George and Mick of the Peters Family, with their head office located at Victoria Point, Brisbane, Australia. Originally from a fishing background, they now own and operate 18 maritime vessels including tugs, barges and crew boats. The company has expanded over the years into dredging, construction and coastal towing sectors.
towing sectors.
Pacific Tug was purchased by the Adelaide Steam Howard Smith Group in 1987 but the family stayed involved and by 2005, the three sons of Con Peters had completed their education and gained valuable knowledge of their industry. The family then took control, and Pacific Tug was regenerated with Chris Peters as the CEO, ably supported by his brothers Sam and Robert Peters. Father Con Peters retains an active role as mentor and advisor to the group. Today, the company continues to grow with highly experienced executive staff drawn from the marine and allied industries. Pacific Tug supplies tugs and towage services both domestically
Skipper Scott Logan at the controls 8 Professional Skipper September/October 2012
around Australia, and to the international market. Now with over forty years of accumulated experience and technical knowledge in this field, Pacific Tug is fast becoming recognised as one of Australasia's leading marine tug and towing companies. The company's decision to build these 15m sturdy work horses in New Zealand was simple: Pacific Tugs recognised in ShipCo, the attributes that they hold near and dear in the quality and service delivery. Price was a consideration, but they could see a lot of tug for the money in the Kiwi build. Plus she is a ship built to last, with strong robust supporting deck gear and machinery. In reality, apart from three minor changes requested by the owners, PT Mary is a true sister to the first tug PT May. These changes are a shift of the shower into the heads and turning the shower space on the portside of the lower flat into a small workshop. The second involved the reposition of the tow hook, and the third is different cabinetry for the main switchboard, but its contents remain the same. The first tug, the PT May, was the first small tug in her class to be built in New Zealand for some time. That is, if you can call this tug design small. At nearly 16m overall, including the fenders, a
