Give the 'hippo' a wide berth
A "hippo" was spotted at naval headquarters in Simon's Town yesterday and a "buffalo" is expected to follow soon. These are the names of two new SA Navy tugs.Imvubu - the Xhosa and Zulu word for "hippo" - arrived in harbour yesterday. It was built to a Royal Navy-approved design.The second tug, Inyathi, which means "buffalo", is being built in Cape Town. Delivery is expected early next year."We wanted two identical, highly manoeuvrable, operationally proved tractor tugs."They must be capable of functioning autonomously and in combination in support of naval harbour activities and with the ability to do short international voyages," said SA Navy spokesman Lieutenant Leverne Benjamin.The new additions replace De Neys, which is more than 50 years old, and De Mist, which has been in service for more than 40 years.The tugs will be used for towing, mooring and fire-fighting...
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