RAY SMUTS THE SUPER tug Nikolay Chiker, which has performed sterling salvage work in and beyond Cape waters for several years, has been recalled to Murmansk, apparently for deployment by her owners, the Russian Navy. Cape Town salvage expert Godfrey Needham, who, together with the Nikolay Chiker, was involved in the salvage of deck cargo from the log carrier Kiperousa off the Eastern Cape coast several months back, said his understanding was that the vessel was on its way to drydock for repairs to her hull, damaged during the Kiperousa incident. However, a report emanating from abroad would seem to indicate the 40 000 hp tug, one of the most powerful in the world, may be lost to commercial salvage as it has been suggested past accidents have convinced the Russians they need a vessel of the Chiker’s capability in their own waters. Thus the vessel has bid farewell to Cape Town, her home base for the past three years, and ended her charter arrangement with joint venture partner Tsavliris Russ (Worldwide Salvage and Towage) for the past five years.
