The Blackadder Tug is back on the water after a month-long multi-million dollar refit. 

The twenty-one-year-old workhorse has been high and dry in the DryDock, with 11 different companies involved in the work. 

Henry Bastion, LPC Marine Fleet Manager, said the complete overhaul included a new paint job, and the propulsion units have been removed and reinstalled, extending the life of the 24 metre vessel.  

Total makeover and new electronics 

“We should get another decade out of her, she will need some more work in another five years, but it is a ten-year extension plan”, said Henry . 

“The wheelhouse has had a total makeover with new electronics, control panel and display screen copied from the Piaka,” Henry added. 

Piaka is LPC’s other tug, that has been in action since 2019.

Tug brought back to life  

Tug engineer Lewis Carter has led the six-month-long project.  

“It’s satisfying seeing the project from start to finish”, said Lewis. 

A marine engineer by trade, Lewis spent until recently updating superyachts and has never done a significant refit on a tug like this before.

“It is a small boat and a lot of work going on in a small area”, said Lewis.  

“Effectively, we have rebuilt the tug and brought it back to life as a rebuilt vessel”, he added. 

Everyone loves the Blackadder 

For Tug Master Gregor Chapman, the Blackadder is his favourite tug to skipper. 

“Everyone loves the Blackadder, I watched it come in when it arrived in 2002 and now look at it”, said Gregor.

“I can’t wait to get back on the sticks”, he said  

The Blackadder will undergo sea trials and should be back pulling and pushing giant vessels around by harbour by the weekend.