A tug has been detained in the UK after breaking down while towing another tug off Dover.
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) said its surveyors found a number of deficiencies on the 224-gt NAS Pathfinder (built 1974).
The Panamanian-flagged vessel is moored in Dover until the faults are rectified.
It lost propulsion on 13 January. Attempts to repair the vessel failed and three hours later a third tug had to bring both ships in.
NAS Pathfinder had been carrying out a tow from the Netherlands to Italy.
An inspection found 17 deficiencies, 11 of which were serious enough to warrant a detention.
Faults included the emergency fire pump not ready for use, excessive oily water in engine room bilges and no evidence of verification of the passage plan by the master.
Pat Dolby, head of inspection operations at the MCA, said: "This is an incident which could have been a lot worse than it was, considering the tug and tow was transiting one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
"We will not let the tug and tow continue on its passage until we are satisfied that it fully complies with all relevant requirements.’
NAS Pathfinder was reported sold to an unknown owner last year.
