HM Coastguard

Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) Anglian Princess seen at anchor off Newlyn, owned by Klyne Tugs (Lowestoft) Ltd. KTL provide four powerful tugs to assist in protecting the British coastline against marine accidents and any resulting pollution under a contract awarded in February 2001 by Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). Thanks to the Master & crew of the Anglian Princess & to Patrick “Patch” Harvey – Coxswain Penlee Lifeboat.

The hull follows the well-established UT 700 series configuration and has a length overall of 67.4m, a breadth of 15.5m, a maximum draft of 6.2m, a gross tonnage of 2258 tons & is intended primarily for towage and salvage in its present role but is fully equipped to carry out the normal duties of an offshore anchor-handler. The propulsion system gives the vessel a bollard pull of over 180 tonnes and a maximum free running speed of 17 knots. For a vessel of its size Anglian Princess is extremely manoeuvrable, a feature aided by two electrically powered bow thrusters of 588kW and a similar stern thruster of 660kW. Thanks to the Master & crew of the Anglian Princess & to Patrick “Patch” Harvey – Coxswain Penlee Lifeboat.

The spacious, well glazed, wheelhouse is divided into three distinct areas - the main console and forward control position, the after control position with windows overlooking the afterdeck and winches, and the radio and communications desk. Located on the main console are the main propulsion controls and all of the equipment needed to navigate the vessel at sea. When manoeuvring the vessel can be controlled using the Rolls Royce 'Poscon' P450, single joystick control system that fully integrates the functions of main propulsion, rudders and bow and stern thrusters. The system enables the vessel to be moved in any direction while a predetermined heading is maintained. A neat 'joystick' controller is provided in three locations, the bridge wings and aft control position. The aft control position, as with all modern vessels of this type, has an exceptional view aft and is the natural location from which to control the vessel whilst manoeuvring to pick up a tow, anchor-handling and many similar operations. All of the major propulsion and winch controls, and many essential navigational and communications systems are duplicated on three consoles adjacent to a pair of fully adjustable chairs. Thanks to the Master & crew of the Anglian Princess & to Patrick “Patch” Harvey – Coxswain Penlee Lifeboat.

The accommodation aboard Anglian Princess is extensive, fitted out to a good standard, and can be fully air-conditioned. Fourteen single and three double cabins all have en-suite facilities. A well equipped ships office, a reception and conference room, and crew lounge are also provided, along with a hospital and a normal galley and laundry. Thanks to the Master & crew of the Anglian Princess & to Patrick “Patch” Harvey – Coxswain Penlee Lifeboat.

The towing winch installed in Anglian Princess is a massive Brattvag, triple drum, hydraulically powered, machine with a line pull on each drum of 300 tonnes and brake holding capacity of 450 tonnes. Each drum is capable of holding 1500m of 76mm diameter steel wire rope. Non-declutchable cable lifters are fitted, on the port and starboard ends, to handle 3.25in chain. Also provided are hydraulically powered reels for spare towlines, anchor-handling wires and pennants. Line handling equipment includes a set of Karm forks and towing pins with a safe working load of 500 tonnes, located forward of the stern roller. Thanks to the Master & crew of the Anglian Princess & to Patrick “Patch” Harvey – Coxswain Penlee Lifeboat.

Other deck equipment includes two 10 tonne hydraulic tugger winches, two 10 tonne capstans, and an ROV approved deck crane. Supplied by 'Crane Power', the latter has a capacity of 3 tonnes at 15m radius. Stowed beneath it's own single arm davit is a Viking fast rescue boat. Thanks to the Master & crew of the Anglian Princess & to Patrick “Patch” Harvey – Coxswain Penlee Lifeboat.

Anglian Princess is equipped for fire fighting with two Skum 'Fire Chief' combined water /foam monitors located at the after end of the bridge deck. Water is supplied to the monitors by two Skum SFP250X350 pumps each with a capacity of 1200cu/m/hr. The pumps are driven from the front of each main engine via Norgear 'step-up' gearboxes. Thanks to the Master & crew of the Anglian Princess & to Patrick “Patch” Harvey – Coxswain Penlee Lifeboat.

Two Wartsila 16V 32LND diesels rated at 16,500bhp/ 12,000kW (total) running at 750rev/min MCR supply power for the vessel's main propulsion system. The main engines run at constant speed and transmit power through Rolls Royce Ulstein gearboxes to controllable pitch propellers, rotating within fixed nozzles. Twin 'high lift' flap rudders are operated by Tenfjord SR 662 steering gear and can be controlled independently or in unison. Thanks to the Master & crew of the Anglian Princess & to Patrick “Patch” Harvey – Coxswain Penlee Lifeboat.

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Ford Focus based at HMCG Eyemouth, thanks to Peter Walker.

Toyota 4x4 based at HMCG Stonehaven thanks to Colin Muir.

Ford Focus based at HMCG Greenock.

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Vehicles at Montrose Coastguard Station. Thanks to Gary MacDonald and Russell Moir.

Vauxhall Astra at HMCG Montrose. Thanks to Gary MacDonald & Russell Moir.

Ford Focus used by HM Coastguards Weymouth Sector Manager. Thanks to Rob Sansom, MCA Weymouth Sector Manager.

Totoya 4x4 at HMCG Rhyl

Toyota 4x4 at Montrose Coastguard Station. Thanks to Gary MacDonald and Russell Moir.