THE Malayan Towage and Salvage Corp., a marine towage and salvage company currently assisting in recovery operations for SuperFerry 14, recently acquired more tugboats.
The marine towage firm acquired three more tugs (2,600 to 3,200 BHP range) to further aid the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in its search operations. The entry of the Tabangao, Bauan and Limay brings the Malayan tugboat fleet to 32. Capt. Edgardo M. Gualberto, Malayan chairman and chief executive officer, said apart from search and recovery operations, the company has been responsible for de-fueling of SuperFerry 14, without which bunker oil of the half-submerged ferry would have endangered the marine environment.
The 10,000-gross ton SuperFerry 14 is about to be re-floated to unload its cargo of vehicles and containers. The ferry now lies on its starboard side in Sisiman, Mariveles town. Used in the search and recovery operations for SuperFerry 14 were the 962-gross ton salvage vessel Atlas and heavy-lift crane barge Hercules. Of the 32 tugs, 11 are equipped with fire fighting and oil pollution control equipment.
The company also operates two floating dry docks for its own fleet of tugs but may soon venture into commercial operation.
