KLYNE TUGS HAVE BECOME PART OF THE JP KNIGHT GROUP Britain’s oldest tug & barge company J P Knight has announced in a joint statement that the J P Knight Group has acquired a majority interest in Klyne Tugs, the current provider of Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) to the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). There will be no change to the Klyne organisation that will remain an entirely autonomous subsidiary of J P Knight (Caledonian) Ltd under the new holding company JP Knight (Anglian) Ltd. The deal includes all of Klyne Tugs marine activities, with the founder and proprietor of the Klyne Group Mr Roger Klyne retaining a 10 percent stake in the new holding company. Klyne Tugs are contracted by the MCA to provide Emergency Towing Vessels at four strategic locations around the UK coast until September 2011. The current ETV fleet of four tugs include; the purpose built offshore tugs Anglian Monarch on station in the Straits of Dover, in joint operation with the French Maritime Authorities, the Anglian Princess on station in the western approaches at Falmouth and the Anglian Sovereign based in Lerwick to cover the east coast and sea areas of northern Scotland. The powerful salvage tug Anglian Prince is currently based off the north west coast of Scotland at Stornoway. An additional anchor-handling tug the Anglian Earl, which also meets the ETV criteria, is regularly employed on towage and salvage work and relieves any of the regular ETVs on station when necessary. On making the announcement Mr Richard Knight, Managing Director of the JP Knight Group, said; “As a company JP Knight is fulfilling a long held dream to own vessels of the calibre of those employed in the Klyne fleet. We have greatly admired Roger Klyne’s faith in investing in vessels of such demonstrable capability. In the distant past JP Knight had strong links with Lowestoft, having several well-known tugs built in local yards and are keen to rekindle their connections with the area. The combined Group will now offer ETV services, deep sea and coastal towage, salvage, ship handling and river transportation from offices in Chatham, Invergordon, Lowestoft and Paranam in South America.” On signing the deal Mr Roger Klyne, Chairman of the Klyne Group, stated; “It gives me considerable satisfaction to be able to hand over a strong company, that is the culmination of my life’s work, to another well respected British family firm. I must take this opportunity to thank most sincerely all of the Klyne Tugs staff that have supported me and contributed enormously to the success we have enjoyed. Special thanks are due to our Managing Director Carl Beare who has worked alongside me tirelessly to make Klyne Tugs a company we can all be proud of.” Peter Cardy, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency commented on the new arrangements: “Klyne Tugs have provided exceptional service since the commencement of the contract. There will be plenty of opportunity to build on this service with the combined resources of JP Knight and Klyne. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency look forward to working with the new arrangements which will continue to provide four Emergency Towing Vessels at strategic locations in UK waters.” Since Klyne Tugs took over the current fulltime contract in 1999, a number of awards and commendations have been made to the Captains and crews of the ETVs for their bravery and skill. The tug masters have many years of experience in the ocean towing and salvage sector and several have remained loyal to the company for over a decade. Several masters who now command the ETVs came to the company with vast experience and during their service have been involved in a host of spectacular salvage and rescue operations.