Targe Towing Limited is a British family-run company. Tom Woolley, now with over 40 years experience in the towage industry, created the company in 1991. He is joined by Directors Nick Dorman, who is also RNR Captain North, and Josephine Woolley, Company Financial Director and Secretary.
Targe operates tugs out of the North East of Scotland Ports, providing dedicated towage to Aberdeen, Dundee and Peterhead. On the Firth of Forth, Targe operates four tugs at the Hound Point marine terminal where Targe is the longest serving continuous contractor for the Forties Pipeline System. One of those vessels is MT HOPETOUN, which at 124 Tonnes Bollard Pull is the largest docking tug in the world.
The company formerly provided towage at BP/Rio Tinto’s coal terminal in East Kalimantan, Indonesia and at BP/Petroplus’ Refinery, Coryton, Thames.
Team Profiles
Tom Woolley – Managing Director
Tom began his towage career managing projects in various international locations including the Bahamas, Mexico and Aruba. He has trained as Master alongside crews in all locations and therefore has a thorough understanding of the safety/ operational issues as well as commercial considerations of a successful towing operation. Since establishing Targe, he has overseen the expansion of its services from one to six ports. He is responsible for strategic planning and the overall management of Targe's fleet and their crew. Tom's maritime career has also included active service in the RN and the RNR from which he retired as a Captain in 2000. He has been on the British Tugowners Association (BTA) Executive since 1995 and took the lead in drafting the MCA’s PMSC 'A guide to good practice on port marine operations' (Link) Tom was Chairman of the BTA for the years 2011-13.
Nick Dorman – Operations Director
Nick is a co-founder of Targe Towing. As Operations Director, he has responsibility for day-to-day vessel operations with an emphasis on safety/ personnel as well as chartering and the management of projects including dry dockings. As a member of the British Tug Owners Association, Nick sits on the Technical Committee and chairs the BTA Annual Safety Conference. Additionally, Nick continues his active role in the Royal Navy as Captain Commanding RNR units North England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Josephine Woolley – Financial Director, Company Secretary
Jo has been Financial Director and Company Secretary since Targe's inception. Jo began a maritime career working for Nassau Towing Limited/Sabre Shipping Corporation and for Roland Marine, Naval Architects and Marine Engineers in New York City before supporting the creation of Targe Towing Ltd.
Ron Craik – Technical Director
Ron joined Targe in 1988 as Chief Engineer on deep sea tugs before being appointed to the Hound Point Fleet in 1993. He brought broad experience from P&O cargo, reefer and anchor handling as well as platform supply vessels and drilling rigs. Ron came ashore as Technical Manager in 2005 following Targe's fleet expansion into the Thames. Ron has a strategic engineering remit for Targe's fleet.
Brett Williams – Finance & Administration Manager
Brett joined Targe in 2017 having spent the previous 13 years in senior finance positions with oil and gas industry companies including Axon Energy Products, Halliburton and PSL Energy Services. Brett is responsible for ensuring the efficient operation of the finance and administration functions as well as providing financial guidance and support to Senior Management.