MT Deerhound facts for kids
Deerhound escorting HMS Somerset
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Deerhound |
| Owner |
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| Operator | Rosyth Marine Services (1996 - 2011).briggs marine=2011-2019) |
| Builder | Appledore Shipbuilders, Appledore, North Devon |
| Launched | 22 February 1966 |
| Completed | June 1966 |
| Homeport | Lowestoft |
| Identification |
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| Nickname(s) | The Mighty Deerhound |
| Status | Active |
| Notes | Pennant number (as RMAS vessel): A155 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Dog class tug |
| Displacement |
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| Length |
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| Beam | 7.72 m (25.3 ft) |
| Draught | 3.87 m (12.7 ft) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 12 knots (22 km/h) |
| Range | 2,236 nautical miles (4,000 km) at 10 knots (19 km/h) |
| Complement | 8 for RMAS use, 4 in commercial use. |
| Sensors and processing systems |
Radar |
| Notes | bollard pull-17 Tons |
The MT Deerhound is a powerful boat known as a tugboat. It was built in 1966 in Appledore, North Devon, in the United Kingdom. For many years, it served the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service (RMAS), which helps the Royal Navy.
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Meet the Deerhound
The Deerhound is part of a group called the Dog-class tugs. These tugboats are designed to help big ships, especially submarines, move around harbors and docks. The Deerhound is a "medium berthing tugboat," meaning it helps ships dock safely.
Built for a Special Job
The Deerhound and its sister ship, the Elkhound, were specially built to work with the Polaris submarines of the Royal Navy. These submarines are very important. To protect the submarines, the Deerhound has special padding, called fendering, all along its front and under its hull. This stops the tug from damaging the submarine underwater when they are close.
A Helping Hand in History
In July 1983, while the Deerhound was working for the RMAS, it played a small part in history. It met the submarine HMS Conqueror. The Conqueror was returning from the Falklands War. The Deerhound helped this famous submarine safely dock at Faslane Naval Base.
Who Owns and Operates Her Now?
The Deerhound and Elkhound were sold in 1996. They became owned by Babcock Rosyth Defense Ltd (BRDL). For a while, Rosyth Marine Services operated them. This company also provided other boats to help the Rosyth Royal Dockyard. Later, in 2011, Briggs Marine took over the job of operating these vessels. In August 2019, the Deerhound was sold to a private owner.
How She Works
The Deerhound is a "twin screw tug." This means it has two propellers, which are like big fans that push the boat through the water. These propellers are powered by two strong Lister-Blackstone diesel engines. The boat also has two rudders, which help it steer. Having two propellers and two rudders makes the Deerhound very good at moving in tight spaces.
It has a "bollard pull" of 17 tonnes. This means it can pull with the force of 17 tonnes, which is very powerful! This strength allows it to work with almost any ship in the Royal Navy. It can also tow large barges. The Deerhound can tow ships using a special hook or from ropes at its front. When it helps barges, they are usually tied closely to the side of the tug for better control.
