Pentland Firth: Emergency towing vessel Ievoli Black to be painted in Coastguard colours as part of new deal
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An emergency vessel will continue to operate in the Pentland Firth after a five-year contract was awarded to Marniva Spa.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the ship would now operate under the UK flag and will be operated for the first time by an all-UK crew.
The UK government deal will see the Ievoli Black painted in the red and white livery of HM Coastguard, seen on search and rescue helicopters and aircraft.
The emergency towing vessel (ETV) Ievoli Black is a 70-metre towing vessel of some 2283 gross tonnes with a bollard pull of around 140 tonnes.
It currently operates as the MCA’s ETV, and following what it called an open and fair competition, the new deal was awarded to run until 2028.
Under the new contract, there is a requirement for the vessel to be flagged to the UK. Following its flag move, the vessel will also be resprayed to match the red and white livery of His Majesty’s Coastguard Search and Rescue fleet. It will also be used to support training of HM Coastguard officers.
The renewed provision of the ETV service will provide support in maritime safety and protect areas of significant environmental interest.
The current ETV operates to the north and west of Scotland, in and around the Minches, Pentland Firth and Fair Isle Channel where there is a critical lack of commercial towage solutions available to intervene in the event of a maritime emergency.
The service, which has been in place for more than 20 years, provides the Coastguard with a single large ocean-going towing vessel which can respond when there is a maritime emergency, towing ships in distress out of danger.
By doing so, the ETV reduces the possibility of a ship casualty becoming a hazard to safe navigation or running aground and causing subsequent cargo or oil pollution and reducing the risk of loss of life.
It will also be able to support other duties including basic salvage support, firefighting, search and rescue incident support, and counter pollution response support.
During the open procurement, bids were evaluated based on vessel type and dimensions, age, bollard pull, speed, crew complement and experience, emissions, training and exercises, efficiency and the chargeable day rate.
Reflecting advances in maritime technology, the vessel will be upgraded from using paper charts to the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), and will be fitted with a Fast Rescue Craft and a new dedicated workboat.
Maritime minister Baroness Charlotte Vere of Norbiton, said: “The safety of seafarers and our waters remains our upmost priority. That’s why government support for towing vessels like the Ievoli Black is so important to Scotland’s coastal communities, ready to step up, in the case of an emergency.
“The UK flag is one of the most prestigious in the world, known for upholding the highest standards of seafarers’ safety – it will be great to see the Ievoli Black in white and red.”
The contract is fully funded by the UK government but it not a statutory service.
Minister for Scotland John Lamont said: "This emergency towing vessel provided by the UK government will cover some of the most remote parts of Scotland, ensuring maritime safety and helping to minimise risks of environmental pollution.
"This vital service – in place for more than 20 years – gets ships out of danger and out of the path of other vessels to minimise disruption and protect lives at sea."
Director of the MCA’s programme delivery directorate, Neil Grant, said: “Maritime safety is always our priority, and this is why we have worked hard to secure continuation of an emergency towing vessel for this environmentally sensitive area of the UK.”
