50 YEARS AGO TODAY - BARRACUDA BAY

[teesships]

I have no details for this small tug entering Tees Dock while pushing a small floating crane - 15 August 1973:

Ron M

[northeast]

From Piet van Damme's Tuglist (not sure when last updated)

(Damen Launch)
displ.7t, L13,540m, B4,00m, Dr1,31m, Dp1,50m
1 scr, diesel Caterpillar (nr.93B639), 240bhp-177kW, bp 3t
re-engined 2006 diesel Cummins, 320bhp

BARRACUDA BAY
1970: Built by "Scheepswerf K. Damen" at Hardinxveld-Giessendam (NLD)
1970: delivered to "Scheepvaartbedrijf M. Damen BV" at Hardinxveld (NLD)
1970: To "Costain - Blankevoort (UK) Dredging Ltd" at London (GBR)
19xx: To "Clyde Marine Motoring Ltd" at Greenock (GBR)
1993: To "Holyhead Towing Co Ltd" at Holyhead, Anglesey (GBR)
1997: To "Mike Conafrey" (Environmental Engineering)
1999 -xx/05: To "Seastructures Ltd" at Plymouth (GBR)
2004: To "OWL - Offshore Wokboats Ltd" (Rex Lyon) at Renfrew (GBR)
2006: re-engined diesel Cummins, 320bhp

Edit: Dave advises that she may have gone to Irish owners in 2007.

[northeast]

More from David Asprey

I have her as still UK flag and owned by "R W O'Reilly" since at least 4/2018. ON 722282, c/s MXSC6

Also seen operator named as "Vince O’Driscoll", based in Baltimore, Co Cork.

[SAILFIN]

I worked for Costain & Blankevoort in 1970 on the river tees and had the pleasure of skippering her when she was brand new (Damen Pushycat 42) she then had a Caterpillar engine 240hp and was a a absolutely brilliant boat to handle.
On two occasions I have seen her, once on the Clyde and the latest sighting was four years ago slipped at Blyth.
There was a sister to Barracuda bay exact identical "Salmon Bay". I have tried to find the Salmon Bay but it seems there is no information anywhere about her.