Gorinchem got mentioned in the Shetland Times! I thought I would never see the day. Reason was that a new anchor handling tug has just been handed over to Delta Marine, the Shetland based tug and workboat operator. The 26 metre Voe Earl, constructed by the Dutch Damen shipyard and the strongest yet in the growing Delta Marine fleet of vessels. Only last November the Whalsa Lass was launched.

Damen Shipyard has been a prominent shipbuilder in Gorinchem, my home town, and in Hardinxveld-Giessendam for over 40 years now. Recently I met the new skipper of the Voe Earl who was to travel to Gorinchem to be present at the launch of this new tug. It is not the first and will certainly not be the last judging by the positive reviews these vessels build in Gorinchem get here in Shetland.