Thomson Tugboats
I have to admit I have a pet hate when I hear people say the phrase “Thomson Tugboats” as If they are far to superior to cruise with them. People forget a lot of them may have done Thomson for a first cruise or the fact they have flights from so many regional airports and have some fantastic itineraries.
I do champion them a bit and get a bit defensive as they have a cracking little product that is very much underrated and loved by lots of loyal customers. Now with all that said I have to say I have just seen something which has really tickled me and made me think “Thomson Tugboats” as soon as I read it.
On Saturday the Thomson Celebration cruise ship was leaving the Grand Harbour in Malta when it suffered an engine failure which left it without power drifting near the port entrance.
Image of the Celebration stranded will appear here shortly
After the had ship drifted around 100 metres the captain was forced to to take action and drop anchor in order to avoid hitting the breakwater. The ship had blocked the harbour’s entrance for around an hour before finally being able to sail away with its engines up and running again. Ironically two tug boats ( not Thomson owned ) helped secure the Celebration in order to stop it moving around with the currents.
It is reported the Celebration ended up parallel to the breakwater at one point. Passengers gathered up on deck to ‘enjoy’ their unexpected longer stay in Malta, while a crowd of onlookers gathered at the Upper and Lower Barrakka gardens as the spectacle unfolded.
More irony comes in the form that the Thomson Celebration sails under the Maltese flag, Perhaps she just wanted to stay home a little longer or someone in the engine room was being a Malteser.
The Celebration is 194 metres long with a beam of 27 metres and a gross tonnage of 33,933 tons which is luckily small by modern standards or things could of got a great deal more tricky.
The ship managed to sail out of the Grand Harbour after around an hour after it was helped out by, yes you guessed it a Tugboat! The following day the Celebration docked safely in Messina as part of its Mediterranean cruise.
Sorry Thomson for me laughing out load when I read this and sorry for my terrible puns.
Good old Thomosn Tugboats
About Me
Hi I'm Harry, I live in the north east of England in sunny Middlesbrough, I'm married and have 3 children a daughter aged 12 and two twin boys who are ten years younger and keep us all on our toes. I love spending time with the family, going on holiday,…
Read more
Thank you for subscribing!