I couldn't put a date to it but bow thrusters have been around for a long time. The QE2 has them and she was launched in '69.
Nowadays Tugs tend to use more sophisticated propulsion methods though such as Voith Scheneider units and Azipods but handling a model such as this one makes you realise just how manoeuvreable a basic set up can be.
Also bear in mind that these tugs were triple expansion steam engines which makes you realise what technology was available at the time. |