Two names for the same vessel - the tugboat operating actually in the harbour of  Viana do Castelo CMTE ÁGUAS, before 1988 was called LADY LAURA and is based in the English harbour of Hull.

In Octouber of 1988 I was invited by the manager of the company of tugboats operating in Viana do Castelo harbour, Mr. Santos, to see two tugboats in Hull. This tugboats was exposed to sale and he pretended the opinion of an expert to make a decision. In her mind I was the person indicated to gave this opinion because of my job and my experience in the matter.

For my side is a dificult position, because my situation as chief-pilot, placed myself engaged with the analysis I made about the tug. In other view is important for the harbour and for the pilotage choose a tug fitted to the characteristiques and needs specyfics of the harbour.

The harbour needs urgently a tug boat to help in the manouvres and can't be all time depending of the disponibility of the tugs from the neighbour harbours of Vigo and Leixões. This fact had a great importance in order to accept de invitation of Mr. Santos to go to England.

Ro-Ro "Seafowl"

We have the gift of the master of the RO-RO "SEAFOWL", captain Bonneron, a sympathique French.

The ship "Seafowl" made a regular line  Poole - Viana - Lisboa, since May 1988 and it's an important help for our trip to England because we hadn't flight to go in the next days but we had to return.

 Lady Laura in Hull harbour

 Cmte. Águas in Comercial Dock of Viana