The newly arrived line handlers joining SAAM Towage Canada’s fleet were unloaded from the vessel “Jumbo” at the Port of Vancouver on 6 January, following their voyage from Hong Kong.
“These multipurpose vessels play a key role in berthing and unberthing vessels by
transferring mooring lines from the ships being assisted to crews on the ground. They also
assist with emergencies, rescuing people from the water and scanning for incipient changes
in weather, tides and wind for pilots at the terminal where they provide services,” explained
Brook Walker, Director of Operations for SAAM Towage Canada.
These 14-meter vessels, designed by Mcduff Shipdesign and constructed by Choey Lee Shipyards in Zhuhai, China, have already been christened SAAM Lucille and SAAM Eriks.
“Adding these new line handlers enables us to keep our high service standards in
Vancouver, optimize our operations and continue to efficiently support our customers,” added the director.
The vessel SAAM Lucille is named in honour of Lucille Johnstone, famously known as “Tugboat Annie,” a trailblazer in the industry and a key figure in the company’s growth during her tenure as executive director and president in the 1970s and 1980s. The second vessel, SAAM Eriks, pays tribute to the Eriks family, particularly John Eriks, whose legacy as a captain, dispatcher, and mentor has shaped generations of colleagues.
