Naval base at Zeebrugge, Belgium 6 July 2013
Ex-Steenbank, since 15 December 1960 of L. Smit&Co.’s Internationale Sleepdienst Maatschappij N.V. , Rotterdam, since 31 May 1961 of the Nieuwe Rotterdamse Sleepdienst N.V., Rotterdam, renamed 10 April 1972 Astroloog of Smit Internationale Havensleepdiensten B,V, Rotterdam, since April 1980 as the Valcke of the Belgian navy. Callsign ORIV, IMO 5339743 and MMSI 205216000. Gross tonnage 183 tons and as dimensions 28,00 (between perpendiculars)-30,68 (over all) x 7,55 x 2,998, a depth of 3,81 and a height of 14,40 metres. Speed 9 (cruising)-12 (maximum) knots. Range 15 days. Crew 8-12 men. Launched on 16 November 1960 at the H.H. Bodewes Scheepswerf, Millingen, Netherlands with yard number 560.
The Dutch newspaper Het vrije volk dated 17 November 1960 reported her launched at the NV Scheepswerven H.H. Bodemes at Millingen aan de Rijn on the afternoon of the day before. She was baptized by Mrs. W.C.J. Arntz-Prudon, spouse of the yard director. A harbour and coast tug especially built for L. Smit en C. Internationale Sleepdienst with as main task to assist the large ships entering the Europoort area. Fitted out with a diesel-electric propulsion just like her recently commissioned sister ship Schouwenbank. The 2 Diesel Deutz engines supplied 1.250 hp. She was fitted out with a Stork salvage pump with a capacity of 350 ton each hour. The intention was to fit her out with two rudders for a better manoeuvrability. She was to be commissioned that same year. According to another newspaper De waarheid dated 23 December 1959 were she and her sister ship ordered in 1959 to be delivered in the second half of 1960.
