Name EMS Defender

EMS DEFENDER was built in 1967 as INCHCOLM by J Lewis and Sons Ltd of Aberdeen, Scotland. She is a Voith Tug, with Voith Schneider tractor drives bp15ton, powered originally by twin 6-cylinder Rushton Type 6APCM. The Voith props are a series of rudders in the bow which can turn to greater or lesser degree with the propulsion going through them, making them ideal for harbour close-quarter situations.

INCHCOLM was originally built for the Forth Ports Authority, operating out of Leith, Scotland. In 1998, she was purchased by Rosyth Marine Services Ltd, named ST MARGARET, and operated out of Rosyth, Dunfermline, Scotland. In 2013, she was purchased by her current owners, Eastern Marine Ltd, who named her EMS DEFENDER and operate her out of Lowestoft, Suffolk. She is mainly used as a harbour tug, assisting with ship-to-ship tanker operations. Her owners state she proves to be very well equipped for this with her deck space and manoeuvrability.

Since built, the front of the bridge handrails have been modified to allow for better vision from the bridge, and new masts have been put in place to respond to a larger amount of required lights, VHF and other equipment.