Registration number 3852
Status Registered
paula.palmer

Previous names

  • 1957 - 1975 Efgee
  • 1975 - 1990 Colne Brook
  • 1990 - 2016 Seven Sixty
  • 2016 - 2021 BJ

Details

Function Service Vessel
Subfunction Tug
Location Gillingham
Vessel type Tug - River/Lighterage
Current use Commercial Activity
Available to hire Yes
Available for excursions Yes

Construction

Builder Harris, P K & Sons Ltd, Appledore
Built in 1956
Hull material Steel
Rig None
Number of decks 1
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Diesel
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
12.17 feet (3.71m)
Air Draft
5.50 feet (1.68m)
Tonnage: Gross
15.00
Depth
4.00 feet (1.22m)
Length: Overall
40.42 feet (12.32m)

History

EFGEE was built in 1957 by P K Harris & Sons LTD of Appledore, Devon, for F G Towage Ltd, of London. She originally had a 2SA 6dyl 100bhp engine, and would have been used for lighterage duties on the Thames.

In 1965, she was purchased by Gaselee & Son Ltd of London, which in 1966 amalgameted with J P Knight LTD of Rochester to form Gaselee and Knight LTD. In 1970, Gaselee withdrew from Thames barge towing and sold their share, including EFGEE, to J P Knight.

In 1975, she was purchased by the Environmental Agency and based on the Thames. She was renamed COLNE BROOK. Afterwards, she was purchased by Kevin Mason of Newark-on-Trent and renamed SEVEN SIXTY, after being reengined with an AEC 7.60 diesel.

In 2016, she was purchased by Hughes Marine of Hull and renamed BJ. She then went through multiple owners until being purchased by her current owner in 2025. The plan is to relocate EFGEE to Port Medway and refit her to be a coded working vessel again, fulfilling towing and guard boat duties as well as safety boat wark, diver recovery, survey work and fishing charters.

Key dates

  • 1957

    Built by P K Harris & Sons LTD of Appledore, Devon, for F G Towage Ltd of London

  • 1965

    Purchased by Gaselee & Son Ltd of London

  • 1970

    Purchased by J P Knight LTD of Rochester 

  • 1975

    Purchased by the Environmental Agency, renamed COLNE BROOK and based on the Thames

  • 1990

    At some point between 1975 and 1999, purchased by Kevin Mason of Newark-on-Trent and renamed SEVEN SIXTY, after being reengined with an AEC 7.60 diesel

  • 2016

    Purchased by Hughes Marine of Hull and renamed BJ

  • 2021

    Purchased by A Baron and renamed EFGEE

  • 2024

    Purchased by J Jermey

  • 2025

    Purchased by current owner and moved to Port Medway for a refit

Own this vessel?

If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk

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