At a special dedication ceremony at the Port of Dundee today, the new Tay Discovery pilot boat was given a traditional marine blessing for its service on the River Tay.

With the Dundee Heritage Trust (DHT) and National Oceanography Centre (NOC) present, the pilot boat has been named Tay Discovery which highlights the important role the port plays in the City of Discovery. The naming also coincides with the centenary of the original Discovery ship receiving its Royal Research designation.

The Chaplain, the Reverend Gordon Campbell from the Dundee Sea Cadets, led the traditional marine blessing of the pilot boat, while the Tay Discovery’s new godmother, Mrs Alisson McPherson, who is married to Forth Ports’ Chief Harbourmaster for Scotland, performed the tradition of dousing the bow of the new boat with champagne. [Note: no glass was broken during this ceremony].

The pilot boat was designed in Scotland by Camarc Design and built by Holyhead Marine in Wales. It is 16.6 metres long and one of the most advanced pilot boats in operation with an updated hull design and engines offering increased efficiency. [**NB: further tech specification is listed below]

For the first time this week, three generations of Discovery-named vessels – the original RRS Discovery; the current RRS Discovery and the new pilot boat, the Tay Discovery – were in Dundee marking 100 years of marine science, exploration and innovation since the original RRS Discovery was designated the UK’s first Royal Research Ship. The current RRS Discovery research vessel is berthed in Dundee for a series of events this weekend at both Discovery Point and aboard the 2012 RRS Discovery herself.

Alan McPherson, Chief Harbour Master for Forth Ports’ Scottish operations, said: “The RRS Discovery is an icon of the City of Dundee and it is very appropriate to name our new pilot vessel Tay Discovery. We are honoured to have the current RRS Discovery in our port in the shadow of the original ship at Discovery Point in its centenary year.

“The pilot boat is a significant investment in our marine fleet which delivers the best service for river users and, at the same time, decarbonises our vessels using the very latest engine technology. The Tay is one of the busiest waterways in the UK with hundreds of vessels navigating the river including large offshore wind installation vessels; oil & gas jack up rigs; cruise liners and cargo ships all calling into Dundee.”

 Chris Oliver, Executive Director at Dundee Heritage Trust, said: “Dundee Heritage Trust are delighted to be present at today’s blessing of the Tay Discovery. We are proud of our links with Dundee’s past, present and future, and the conversation that our beloved ship RRS Discovery continues to provoke. Discovery has become a powerful name in the city and is seen in a diverse range of businesses and buildings. The name helped spark the resurgence of the city in the nineties and continues to be a beacon for hope and progress. It is wonderful to see Tay Discovery join the family and help fly the flag for the City of Dundee.”  

Stewart Mackay, Captain of the current RRS Discovery, said: “It is a special moment for us all, to have what is essentially three generations of Discovery vessels here in Dundee. The Tay Discovery pilot vessel continues the name and will provide a vital service to the marine industry. We are proud of our links to Dundee, the home of the first RRS Discovery, which was officially designated a Royal Research Ship 100 years ago. We are delighted to be back, celebrating this important centenary as well as the blessing of Tay Discovery. I wish her fair winds and following seas throughout her years of service.”

Pilot boats are important vessels on the river as they transport maritime pilots to the ships that need guided safely to a berth at a quayside in Dundee or back out of the Estuary to the open sea. As the statutory river authority for the Forth and Tay, Forth Ports’ marine team operates over an area of 280 square miles of navigable waters.

 Tay Discovery forms part of the large fleet of tugs and work boats operated by Targe Towing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Forth Ports, which provide towage, emergency response and other services 24 hours a day principally on the Tay and the Forth, two of the UK’s busiest waterways, in addition to the other North-East ports of Scotland and offshore.