THV Galatea

THV "Galatea" is a lighthouse tender operated by Trinity House, the body responsible for the operation of lighthouses and marine navigation aids around the coasts of England, Wales and the Channel Islands.

History

THV "Galatea" was launched in July 2006, replacing the THV "Mermaid", in service with Trinity House since 1987. "Mermaid" was sold to Gardline of Great Yarmouth, for conversion to survey vessel. [cite web| url=http://www.harwichhavenshipsandyachts.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=221| title=Trinity House tender "Galatea"| date=Sept 03, 2007| publisher=Harwich Haven Ships and Yachts| accessdate=2008-08-02] "Galatea" is a sister vessel to the NLV "Pharos". [cite web| url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/shippingports/ports/genlighthousefund0506| title=The General Lighthouse Fund 2005 - 2006| format=pdf| publisher=The Stationery Office| accessdate=2008-08-02] . The Queen and Prince Philip visited the Pool of London on 17 October 2007 for the naming of THV "Galatea", moored alongside HMS|Belfast|C35|6.

This is the second Trinity House vessel named "Galatea". The first, a paddle yacht built in 1868, served Trinity House until 1895. She was named in honour of HMS|Galatea|1859|6 which had recently completed a round-the-world voyage under the command of Queen Victoria's second son, Captain HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who was Master of Trinity House at the time. "Galatea" attended the commissioning of Eddystone, Wolf and other lighthouses designed by Sir James Douglass.cite web| url=http://www.boatingcornwall.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1798853.mostviewed.sea_nymph_galatea_replaces_mermaid_as_trinity_house_tender.php| title=Sea nymph’ Galatea replaces Mermaid as Trinity House tender| publisher=Boating Cornwall| accessdate=2008-08-02]

In Greek mythology, Galatea was a sea nymph who attended Poseidon (the god of the sea). She loved Acis, the shepherd son of Pan. However, Acis was killed by the jealous Cyclops Polyphemus and, with her heart broken, Galatea turned into a stream of water.

ervice

THV "Galatea" provides aids to navigation for the safe passage of mariners, including maintenance work, buoy deployment, wreck location marking and towing. She is also able to carry out additional tasks such as hydrographic surveying and wreck finding and contract commercial work. She is equipped for: [cite web| url=http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/media_centre/press_releases/press_release.html?id=15285| title=Press Release: THV "Galatea" arrives in home port of Harwich| publisher=Trinity House| date=23 July 2007| accessdate=2008-08-02]
*hydrographic surveys including bathymetry, side scan, sonar and wreck investigations
*aids to navigation deployment, maintenance, repair and examination
*research platforms for deployment and recovery of scientific equipment
*sampling projects
*marine hazard search and marking
*lifting, towing and accurate positioning of marine equipment
*recovery and re-establishment of off-station aids to navigation
*sea trials of electronic and specialty equipment
*helicopter support
*safety boat assignments
*guard duties for cable and pipe laying projects

References

External links

[http://www.flickr.com/photos/chalto/2596793345/ Copyright image at Flickr]