SD Bustler facts for kids
class="infobox " style="float: right; clear: right; width: 315px; border-spacing: 2px; text-align: left; font-size: 90%;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; line-height: 1.5em;" | 
|} The SD Bustler was a special kind of tugboat. It had two powerful engines and was used to help big ships in the United Kingdom's Navy. This ship was operated by a company called Serco Marine Services. Before that, it was part of the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service, which was a group that helped the Navy until 2008.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
|
| Name | RMAS Bustler |
| Builder | Richard Dunston |
| Launched | 1981 |
| In service | 1981 |
| Out of service | 2008 |
| Homeport | HMNB Portsmouth |
| Identification | Pennant number: A225 |
| Fate | Transferred to Serco Marine Services |
 United Kingdom |
|
| Name | SD Bustler |
| In service | 2008 |
| Identification |
|
| Status | Retired |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 384 GT |
| Length | 38.8 m (127 ft 4 in) |
| Beam | 9.42 m (30 ft 11 in) |
| Draught | 4 m (13 ft 1 in) |
| Propulsion | Two diesels, two shafts, 2,640 bhp |
| Speed | 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
| Complement | 5 |
Meet the SD Bustler
The SD Bustler was a very important ship. It worked hard to move large naval vessels in and out of busy ports. Imagine a tiny but strong helper for giant ships! The "SD" in its name stands for "Serco Defence," showing who operated it for a big part of its life.
What is a Tugboat?
A tugboat is a small but very strong boat. Its main job is to push, pull, or guide other ships. This is especially helpful for large ships that cannot move easily in tight spaces, like harbors. Tugboats are like the muscle of the port, making sure bigger ships get where they need to go safely. The SD Bustler was a "twin tractor unit tug," meaning it had two propellers that could turn in any direction. This made it super agile and powerful for its size.
A Ship's Journey: From RMAS to Serco
The SD Bustler started its life in 1981. It was built by a company called Richard Dunston. For many years, it served with the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service (RMAS). The RMAS was a special group that provided support ships for the Royal Navy. They did jobs like towing, transporting supplies, and helping with training.
In March 2008, the RMAS was no longer needed. Its tasks were taken over by private companies. That's when the SD Bustler joined Serco Marine Services. It continued its important work of assisting the Navy's ships. The SD Bustler was based at HMNB Portsmouth, which is a very famous naval base in the UK.
Bustler's Cool Features
The SD Bustler was designed to be strong and efficient. Here are some interesting facts about it:
- Size: It was about 38.8 meters (127 feet) long. That's about the length of four school buses lined up!
- Width: It was 9.42 meters (31 feet) wide.
- Power: The tugboat had two diesel engines. These engines produced a lot of power, about 2,640 horsepower! This power was sent to two propellers, making it very strong for towing.
- Speed: It could travel at a speed of up to 12 knots. A knot is a way to measure speed at sea, and 12 knots is about 22 kilometers per hour (14 miles per hour).
- Crew: Only five people were needed to operate the SD Bustler.
The SD Bustler was a key part of keeping the UK's naval operations running smoothly. It helped many large warships, like the HMS Daring, move safely in and out of port. The ship was retired from service, meaning it no longer works, but its history shows how important tugboats are.
See also
- Naval Service (United Kingdom)
- List of ships of Serco Marine Services
