Remember the tragic fate of the Flying Phantom? This plaque commemorates her.
The Flying Phantom wasn’t just any tugboat. Built in 1981 by Ferguson Shipbuilders in Port Glasgow she was the last Clyde-built tug for Clyde service. She was a powerful vessel with a 50-tonne bollard pull. That’s a measure of her strength her ability to pull a massive weight.
Imagine her majestic profile. A conventional single CPP with a Kort nozzle. In the mid-90s she even got a retractable Aquamaster pod. That increased her power and maneuverability. She was a workhorse a vital part of the Clyde Shipping Company fleet.
But her story took a dark turn. On December 19 2007 in thick fog she sank in the River Clyde near Clydebank. Three crew members Stephen Humphreys Robert Cameron and Eric Blackley perished. Only Brian Aitchison survived.
The accident sparked a major investigation. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch found failings in Clydeport’s safety regime and Svitzer Marine’s operations. There was even a lack of international standards for tug tow line emergency release systems. Subsequent legal action resulted in hefty fines for both Clydeport and Svitzer.
This plaque isn’t just a marker of a tragic accident. It’s a reminder of the risks these brave men faced. It’s a tribute to their dedication and a call for improved safety standards in the maritime industry. Remember the Flying Phantom. Remember the men who were lost. Let this plaque serve as a somber reminder of their sacrifice.