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Tugboat repairs delay delivery of oil

An oil tanker that had to anchor off Bermuda’s coast for more than three days due to broken tug boats should finally come into port this morning.The Butterfly arrived on Tuesday afternoon from the Bahamas to deliver fuel for BELCO.However, it was unable to berth at the oil docks in St George’s because two of the island’s three tugs had broken down.The bill for the wasted time will have to be footed by BELCO.Joe Simas, vice president of Meyer, the shipping agent for the tanker, explained: “It’s had a big impact as the tanker has been sitting out there since Tuesday afternoon.Once these tankers are ready to discharge they are like a taxi — the meter is ticking.”Mr Simas said he had “no idea” what the final cost of the delay will be.The Bermuda Sun reported that the bill could run into tens of thousands of dollars.A BELCO spokeswoman said that was “speculation” and added: “We cannot comment on the cost or other contractual arrangements.”She said if the tanker berths as planned this morning, the fuel should be pumping by early afternoon.A Government spokesman confirmed that the tugs Edward M. Stowe and Faithful have needed repairs.He said the Edward M. Stowe is now back in action and should escort the Butterfly in along with the Powerful around 6.30am.The Faithful is still undergoing repairs.He was unable to provide any information on the cost of the delay.