The SD vessels Forceful, based in Devonport, and Bustler, which operates in Portsmouth, have undergone 21-day docking periods at Portsmouth Naval Base for five-year survey and annual maintenance packages.

Most notably, this has included assistance to the German manufacturer Voith Schneider in the complete overhaul of two propulsion units on each vessel, completing the maintenance schedule using workshop facilities in the Naval Base. Other refit work included activity on underwater fittings and the ships’ fluid couplings, while both vessels were repainted.

Solent Towage’s tug Apex, newly built in Spain, was also docked at FSL for a pre-delivery docking that included final painting.

The dockings, augmenting FSL’s traditional winter ferry refit programme, illustrate the company’s expansion in commercial ship repair, including addressing the larger workboat market along the South Coast.