Oslo-based Buks?r og Berging AS (BB) was established over 90 years ago and is a leader in the tug operator field. The company provides diversified services within the marine industry and offers a choice of tugs ? from harbour and escort tugs to deep-sea towing tugs, ranging from conventional towing units, via stern drive types to advanced fin-first escort Voith tugs. With its fleet of over 20 quality tugs and 150 experienced employees, BB has the knowledge, equipment, and personnel to fulfil the needs of its broad client base.

Areas of Operation
BB specializes in the following areas:

??Harbour towage and tug escort
??Marine salvage and environmental protection
??Towage and barge transport
??Rental of marine equipment

Emergency Preparedness
The Norwegian Coast Directorate?s emergency preparedness division recently gave BB the responsibility for ETV (Emergency Towing Vessel) preparedness in East Finnmark County, Norway. The anchor-handling vessel Skandi Beta will be used for this service.
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Environmental Protection
Most of BB?s tugs are equipped with powerful fire-fighting equipment. To prevent or handle oil pollution, several of the company?s tugs have oil booms, skimmers, pumps and other equipment available. Large-capacity emergency discharge pumps are located at bases in Stavanger, ?lesund and Bod?, and can be mobilized on short notice in order to drain the oil of a grounded vessel.

Environmental protection is often divided into two areas: preventive and operational. Preventive protection includes the development and operation of sophisticated tugs ? including the new fleet of Escort Class tugs ? in order to prevent an accident from happening. Operational tools are designed to minimize the consequences when an accident occurs. BB?s wide range of patented salvage tools includes the development of NepCon (helicopter-applied towing gear) and contributions during the development and operation of ROLS, Miko Plaster and other marine salvage tools.

Quality and Safety
BB?s Quality and Safety philosophy is based on the following principles:

??No business goals are more important than safeguarding the individual?s life and health
??Accidents can be avoided
??Safety shall come first in all operations
??Every individual is responsible for the quality of their own work, and operations are performed in a safe way without putting one?s own or another?s life or health in danger

BB is certified to meet the requirements of the Quality and Safety Management system (QSM system), ISM code and the Norwegian Standard NS-ISO 9001 applicable for tugboat-operating companies.