Goa to scrap three-decade-old tug boat 'Pehalwan'

The operation of salvaging vessels held up off Goa shore will now get a boost with the state government deciding to replace its ailing three-decade-old tug boat here.
Captain of Ports Department has requisitioned Rs 5.5 crore worth tug boat 'Pehalwan-1,' that will replace the existing 'Pehalwan' which has long outlived its life expectancy.
The tug would be stationed near Panaji, so that it can quickly respond to the calls of distress. The new boat would be commissioned in mid-September, a senior CoP official said today.
In addition to the tug which can pull the heavy ships, the department is also adding a high speed patrol vessel to its fleet for surveillance and interception of suspicious vessels.

'Pehalwan' tug which has served the state for almost three decades would be scrapped and auctioned in October 2012, once the new ship takes charge.
Officials explained that tug is usually used to tow the vessels which are struck mid sea due to technical snags or total failure of the engine.
The new tug will have a bigger capacity to pull the vessels as the current one can tow only four metric tones and the new one will be with twelve metric tones.
Adapting to the modern challenges, the officials said that the new tug will be equipped with the fire fighting and oil spill dispersion equipments on board.