SECTION 1.

TOWAGE GUIDELINES

Port of Larne has consulted with representatives from Belfast Lough Pilots Ltd, PEC
holders at the port, and tug operators who all collaborated and agreed in the
development of these towage guidelines.
The Towage Guidelines are to be used by all operators when manoeuvring within
Larne Harbour Limits.

CONTENTS

1.1

Factors considered in developing the Towage Guidelines

1.2

Towage Guidelines

1.3

Compliance of tug vessels operating at Port of Larne

1.4

Tug Crews

1.5

Appendices
Appendix 1

Risk Assessment

Appendix 2

Towage procedures for tankers bound for Ballylumford Power

Station

Appendix 3

Tug information on Bollard Pull and SWL

Appendix 4

McLoughlin Shipping Tug Fleet.

Appendix 5

Svitzer Marine Ltd Tug Fleet.

1.1

Factors considered in developing the Towage Guidelines

1.1.1

A Risk Assessment of marine operations was carried out by Marico Marine between
November 2000 and March 2001. The Risk Assessment comprised of data
gathering including a structured Hazard Identification meeting from which hazards in
relation to Navigation within the port in terms of

the geography of the port and its approaches i.e. Larnes navigational
complexity.
difficulties associated with particular berths at Larne and Ballylumford.
Prevailing tidal stream and weather factors
Size, type and manoeuvrability of ships using the port.
Whether movement of ships in and out of the port can be expedited by use of
tugs.

1.1.2

From the final list of 69 hazards and good practice, 9 were identified as using tugs
and workboats as a control measure. The 9 hazards are described in Appendix 1.

1.1.3

The Harbour Authority will supplement the original assessment with a continuous
review process of the risk assessments with formal reviews at suitable intervals. All
final decisions about risk control methods will take into account relevant legislation,
minimum standards and human factors.

1.1.4

Assessing how much tug power is needed to handle ships safely is an important part
of the port authorities role particular for high windage ships such as the ro-ro and
cruise ships and deep draught ships such as tankers for the Power Station.

1.1.5

A risk assessment should be carried out of the situation taking into account the local
available experience and will result in a more realistic and economical tug use. In
this context the greater the shiphandlers experience the better the results will be.

1.1.6

No port is the same and tug requirements differ by port.

1.1.7

Tugs should be suitable for the size of the ship, small ships should preferably be
handled by small tugs. The smooth and gentle handling of small ships is more
difficult with powerful tugs and the bollards and fairleads of small ships are not
strong enough for the forces that can be delivered by a powerful tug.

1.1.8

To assess how strong the tug should be or how much tug power is needed, two basic
situations have to be considered.

The situation where the mass of the vessel is the predominant factor

The situation where external forces working on the ship are the governing
factors such as wind and/or current forces.
A distinction should be made between the required tug power or bollard pull for
Handling ships that normally visit the port

Handling specific ships that visit the port on a particular occasion or for
specific situations in the port.

1.1.9

Some large ships can be handled in Larne without tug assistance if conditions and
circumstances allow.

1.2

Towage Guidelines

The use of tugs will be determined by the following guidelines.

1.2.1

Scheduled Ro-Ro Ferries - the Master will assess the requirement for tug
assistance based on the existing prevailing circumstances when manoeuvring at the
port. These circumstances include wind strength and direction, tidal state and
current flow, traffic density, and the condition of the vessels main engines, bow
thrusts and steering.

1.2.2

Non-Schedule Ferries; bulk cargo ships, cruise ships and tug and tow operations the Pilot will assess the requirement for tug assistance based on the existing
prevailing circumstances when manoeuvring at the port. These circumstances
include wind strength and direction, tidal state and current flow, traffic density, and
the condition of the vessels main engines, bow thrusts and steering.

1.2.3

Tankers - the towage guidelines for tankers are mandatory and are explained in
Appendix 2.

1.2.4

The Harbour Authority can give an appropriate special direction to mitigate risk likely
to arise in instances were the guidelines are ignored or where vessels Master or pilot
decline to take the recommended number of tugs. The question of whether some
ships can be handled without tugs or with a minimum of tug assistance will be
answered by a desk study taking account of
Port particulars
Environmental conditions
Particulars of the ship to be expected
Available experience of ship captain or pilot

1.2.5

All masters of vessels berthing with major defects of main engine, bow thrusters and
steering will carry out a individual and specific risk assessment on the planned
manoeuvre. The use of tugs under these circumstances is recommended by the
Harbour Authority as a risk control.

1.2.6

Mooring Breakout high sided ships such as Ro-Ros, tankers in ballast and cruise
ships are exposed to the potential of a mooring failure especially during squalls with
severe wind gusts. Masters of these vessel types are recommended to have a tug/s
on stand-by in sufficient time to avoid any incidents.

1.2.7

In all cases, tugs should be strong enough to handle the ships in the port safely and
efficiently, even under unfavourable conditions of wind and current. The port
operates shipping movement regarding maximum wind speeds and visibility. In wave
conditions, the tug effectiveness decreases as the tug master will vary the towing
power in order to avoid to high dynamic forces in the towline which results in a less
effective tug assistance. Appendix 3 provides information on tug power and bollard
pull.

1.3

Compliance of Tug Vessels operating at Port of Larne.

1.3.1

Under the Port Marine Safety Code, LHL must ensure, by inspection that all tugs,
workboats and passenger vessels used in the harbour comply with the Merchant
Shipping (Small Work Boats) Regulations 1998 and the associated Safety of Small
Work Boats and Pilot Boats Code of Practice, and that they are fit for purpose for
any use to which they are put. This will be in addition to MCA inspection / certificates
and includes both certified and non-certified craft.

1.3.2

The Harbour Master is responsible for establishing and operating the approval
system and to this end (1) will ensure that the periodic inspections of tugs and
workboats are carried out by the responsible organisations (MCA) at least annually,
(2) that any reports that are submitted are sufficiently detailed to allow assessment
and approval of the subject craft against the requirements of the code, and (3) before
LHL approval the craft will be inspected to verify that the report is an accurate
representation of the condition of the vessel with respect to the appropriate code.

1.3.3

The approval system and procedures are contained in the Marine Services Manual,
Section 2, Compliance Procedure for all small vessels operating at the Port of Larne.

1.4

Tug Crews

Port of Larne will ensure that all harbour vessels used in the harbour are fit for purpose and
that the crew are appropriately trained and qualified for the tasks they are likely to perform.
1.4.1

For the operation of the Pilot Boat or Passenger boats, it is required that the skipper
hold a Class 2 Boatmasters Certificate

1.4.2

For the operation on non-certificated workboats, it is preferred that a Class 3

Boatmasters licence should beheld by the skipper. However, if the operator can
demonstrate experience this may be wavered.

1.4.3

A list of suitably trained and qualified crew will be provided by the operator on 1st
January each year or as and when requested by Larne Harbour Ltd.

1.4.4

Tugs, based in Belfast, but used for towage services at Larne will be manned with
appropriately trained and qualified crew, to a minimum of Tug Master, Chief Engineer
and two GPR Ratings.

1.4.5

Current practice of cross training throughout port operations is a strong feature at the
Port of Larne. The regular use of tugs by ferries, tankers and small cargo ships has
provided a large core of experienced and knowledgeable crew. PEC candidates
must gain operational experience on the tugs prior to attending the examination.
Pilots have extensive operating experience with the tugs from Belfast and with the
local crew in Larne.

Appendix 1
Hazman Risk Assessments - Last Date Reviewed : Nov 2005
Tugs and workboats are used as one of the risk controls for 9 of 69 hazards identified during
the port risk assessment process.
The 9 hazards are:
1.
Ferry lands nearly on linkspan
Due to insufficient power in marginal conditions
Strong SE winds on ebb tide
Failure to take a tug
Control
Tug and workboats available
Tugs to be used in adverse conditions
2.

HSC contacts quay berthing

Restricted view from conning position
Wind funnelling between hulls causes handling difficulties.
Failure to take a tug.
Control
Tug and workboats available
Tugs to be used in adverse conditions

Mooring breakout Tanker

Lack of attention to moorings
Condition of mooring ropes
Control
Tug available to hold alongside
Use of tugs

Mooring Breakout Barge on A Jetty

Lack of attention to moorings

Condition of mooring ropes

Control
Tug available to hold alongside
Use of tugs
5

Ferry contacts another during manoeuvring

Poor weather conditions with strong winds
Strong ebb tide
Loss of power
Misjudgement
Strong SE Winds can set vessels towards berths, especially ebb tide on
Continental Quay.
Control
Tug and workboats available
Tugs to be used in adverse conditions.

Ferry contacts HSE during manoeuvring

Loss of power
Misjudgement
Poor weather conditions with strong SE winds
Strong ebb tide
SE Winds set vessels towards berths
Control
Tug and workboats available
Tugs to be used in adverse conditions

HSE contacts ferry during manoeuvring

Loss of power
Misjudgement
Poor weather conditions with strong SE winds
Strong ebb tide
SE Winds set vessels towards berths
Control
Tug and workboats available
Tugs to be used in adverse conditions

Mooring breakout Continental Quay

Strong NW winds and flood tide
Seaward end of berth is suspended construction and vessel is exposed to
wind at that and
Vessel passing at speed
Berth fendering and moorings are not tailored to individual vessels.
Lack of attention to moorings
Condition of mooring ropes
Unsuitable lead of mooring ropes
Control
Tug available to hold alongside
Use of tugs

Mooring breakout Other quays

Berth fendering and moorings are not tailored to individual vessels
Vessels passing at speed
Lack of attention to moorings
Condition of mooring ropes
Unsuitable lead of mooring ropes
Control
Tug available to hold vessel alongside
Use of tugs

Appendix 2
Towage Guidelines Tankers bound for Ballylumford Power Station
1.

Rendezvous
The rendezvous position and time will be as advised by the pilot, however tugs
should be fast before the vessel passes No 1 buoy, inward bound.

2.

Number Of Tugs
There is no set number of tugs required for a particular ship operation. This decision
will be made by the master and Pilot in consultation, however the following may be
used as a guide for berthing:Up to 20,000 dwt:

1 or 2 tugs

Over 20,000 dwt

2 or 3 tugs

The above numbers may be varied at the pilots discretion, depending on weather,
known ships limitations or special propulsion and manoeuvring systems (i.e. twin
screws, thrusters, high-lift rudders, etc). For vessels with thrusters, each thruster
counts as one tug, provided the thrusters are fully operational and the vessels draft
is sufficient for the thruster to operate satisfactorily.
The numbers of tugs required for unberthing shall be based on the number required
for berthing but may be reduced at the pilots discretion.
However, in all cases, tankers and vessels carrying hazardous goods in bulk must
have at least one tug in attendance if under 20,000 dwt or two tugs if over 20,000
dwt.
3.

Ordering Tugs
Tugs should be ordered by the Master or Agent only. Such instructions may be
communicated directly by the ships agent or through the Marine Officer at Larne Port
Control Centre. Pilots should bear in mind that agents require a minimum of 24 hours
notice to order additional tugs from Belfast.
When such requests are communicated via Pilots (or Larne Port Control Centre) it
must be clearly stated whether or not such request is being made after consultation
with the Master. Orders received prior to such consultation should be considered as
provisional advance notice only.
Further information on Tugs, including ordering, notice and shift change procedures
is contained in Larne Harbour Port Control (VTS) Manual.

4.

Moorings
Pilots should be aware that moorings for tankers should be in accordance with the
OCIMF Mooring Equipment Guidelines. Mixed moorings are not permitted at any oil
terminal jetty i.e. within a given mooring pattern, lines of different elasticity (i.e.
ropes and wires) should not be run together in the same direction. If a vessel has
insufficient wires to present a complete mooring pattern, it is preferable that ropes
are used for head and stern lines and wires for the breastlines and springs. Where
possible, lines in a given service (e.g. forward springs) should be the same length.

5.

Unberthing
Prior to singling up, the Pilot shall discuss the proposed navigational passage with the
Master. These discussions shall include all applicable items in paragraph 6.5
Communications shall be tested prior to singling up.
When singled-up, Larne Port Control Centre will be informed that the vessel is ready to
depart the berth. Port Control will then either confirm that the vessel may leave the
berth or request the vessel to wait (e.g. due to the movement of another vessel in the
proximity). Unberthing may proceed when port control has confirmed that the vessel
may leave the berth.

6.

Outbound Vessels
Before disembarking outward bound vessels, Pilots shall ensure that the vessel is
sufficiently to seaward and that the Master is given sufficient guidance to avoid any
navigational hazards.

10

Appendix 3
Tug Information on Bollard Pull and Safe Work Loads
Bollard pull is the static force exerted by a tug on a fixed towline. The bollard pull value is
used as a standard measure of the towing capability of a tug, basically the exerted force is
generated by tugs propeller thrust only.
Bollard pull tests are carried out in what can be called a static situation and is an important
indication of a tugs capability. However in all the dynamic situations of day-to-day
operations the actual pull exerted by the tug varies considerably from the bollard pull test
values and are often much higher than the stated bollard pull.
The negative effect of tug propeller wash impinging on the ships hull, which is largest effect
with a small under keel ship clearance and a short towline is to be noted.
Tugs are built to produce higher forces than the bollard pull by creating an optimal
underwater form of the tugs hull, which can generate pull forces as a result of the
hydrodynamic forces working on the tug hull.
The tugs hull does not play an important role when, pulling at a ship with no or almost zero
speed or when pulling straight ahead as forward tug or straight astern as stern tug on a ship
having headway. When a ship has no speed, the exerted pull of the tug is approximately the
same as the bollard pull. For the forward tug pulling straight ahead at a ship having
headway, propeller thrust is less due to the positive water flow through the propeller. In
addition, the tug has to propel itself through the water with the cost of engine power;
consequently, the exerted pull is less than the bollard pull, decreasing with ships increasing
speed.
When a stern tug is braking the ships speed, the propellers are working in a negative water
flow and a high trust can be developed. Together with the forces caused by the tugs
resistance through the water, the tug actual pull can then be high, which can result in a even
higher pull than the bollard pull.
As mentioned, the tug can make use of the hydrodynamic forces working on the tugs hull.
When a tug is handling a ship that has speed, these hydrodynamic forces can generate high
pulling forces, sometimes even in addition to the propeller thrust forces. A few examples:

A stern tug operating in the indirect mode can generate high pulling forces, which
increase with the ships speed (and at a speed of 10 knots can be a high as twice the
bollard pull); while the propeller thrust is used to keep the tug in an optimal position to
achieve the highest possible pulling forces.

A tug braking a ships speed and working under a small angle with the ships heading
can exert high braking forces caused by the propeller thrust and tug resistance
through the water.

A conventional tug can also create high towline forces, generated by the
hydrodynamic forces working on the tug hull when towing under an angle to a ships
heading on a ship having headway.

These few examples show that the exerted pull can be much higher than the bollard pull and
that it does not always have a direct relation to the bollard pull. Therefore these exerted
forces should not be referred to as bollard pull.

11

Forces in the Towline

The exerted pull is passed to the towline. The forces in the towline can vary considerably
and can reach high values, mainly caused by the unsteady and continuously varying
situation of the tug compared with the assisted ship and the often vertical angle of the
towline. When pulling in such an unsteady dynamic situation, peak loads are generated in
the towline. These may also be caused by non-smooth tug handling or by waves. In
consequence, towline forces can be much higher than the maximum pull that can be exerted
by the tug.
In addition, tugs handling ships in locks or dry-docks often operate with a short steep
towline. Pulling at full power will cause higher forces in the towline that the maximum
exerted pull, due to the vertical towline angle. Add to that the forces caused by the unsteady
situation between tug and ship and it will be clear that the forces in the towline may become
so high that the towline may part.
It is not without reason that the SWL of a harbour tugs towline is based on a force in the
towline of at least twice the bollard pull. This should result in a safety factor of the towline of
not less than a factor of about four times the bollard pull. This may vary by tug type, tug
size, and/or local situations and conditions, sometimes resulting in the requirement for an
even higher safety factor. It is worth noting that as harbour tugs become more powerful, the
bollards and fairleads of ships, on occasion, are not strong enough for the forces exerted by
them. The safe working load of the ships bollards depends on ship size and the mean
braking loads of the ships mooring lines. However, the forces that can be generated in the
towline of present tugs are often much higher than their bollard pull and this should be a
factor taken into account when determining an accurate and meaningful safe working load of
shi bollards and fairleads.
Conclusion
1.

Bollard pull tests are carried out in more or less static situations. The requirements
for such tests differ by classification society and so the results can be different even
for the same tug. The sustained bollard pull, or continuous bollard pull, measured
during bollard pull tests over a certain period of time (such as five or ten minutes) is a
tugs bollard pull.

2.

The bollard pull is an important indication of a tugs capability. However, in the

dynamic situation of day-to-day operations, the actual pull that can be exerted by the
tug can be lower but can often also be much higher, due to the hydrodynamic forces
working on the tugs hull. These forces exerted by the tug should not be called
bollard pull.

3.

The forces generated by the tug are passed to the towline. Due to the unsteady
circumstances the tug operates in, forces in the towline, (peak forces), can become
much higher than the bollard pull and the maximum pull that can be generated by the
tug during ship assistance. When the tug is working with a steep towline angle,
forces in the towline further increase.

4.

When discussing the SWL of the ships bollards, the tugs bollard pull is not the only
factor to be taken into account. Of equal importance are the forces that can be
generated in the towline by such a tug during day-to-day operations, as is the case
with the safety factor of a tugs towline.

12

5.

Finally, for an escort tug notation of a classification society, the maximum towing
forces that can be generated by the tug at a particular ships speed are important.
Measurements are carried out during active escorting and the achieved maximum
mean towing pull, comparable with the sustained bollard pull during bollard pull tests,
is the factor for the escort rating number of the tug. The escort rating number shows
the capability of a new escort tug in delivering steering forces at 8 and 10 knots
speed.

13

Appendix 4

John McLoughlin & Son Shipping Tug Fleet

TUG DETAILS
Tug

Maria
Conventional

Sarah
Conventional

Bollard Pull

8 Tons

8 Tons

Speed

8 Knots

8 Knots

Volvo Penta Tamp 121 c

Volvo Penta Tamp 121 c

__________________

__________________

12.5 x 4.5 x 2.15

33 T. Displacement

12.5 x 4.5 x 2.15

33 T. Displacement

Trip Hook

Trip Hook

Fifi (m hr)

Yes

Yes

Dispersant

Nil

Nil

2.4 T

2.4 T

Fuel Capacity

2 x 1200 Litres

2 x 1200 Litres

Radio Nav Equipment

Sailor 144 (1)

Sailor 144 (1)

JRC Radar

JRC Radar

2 in one for castle cabin

2 in one for castle cabin

Built under Lloyds

Nil
British

Built under Lloyds

Nil
British

1980
Bristol, David Abels

1980
Bristol, David Abels

Type

Main Engines
Auxilary Engines
Length / Beam / Max Draft
Gross Tonnage
Towing Equipment

Fresh Water Capacity

Furono Radar Plus GPS

Accommodation
Classification
Flag
Y O B Yard

Appendix 5

Svitzer Tug Fleet

BELFAST TUG DETAILS JUNE 2006
TUG
Type

Bollard Pull
Speed
Main Engines
Auxilary Engines
Length/Beam/max Draft
Gross Tonnage
Towing Equipment
Fifi (m hr)
Dispersant
Fresh Water Capacity
Fuel Capacity
Radio Nav. Equipment
Accommodation
Classification
Flag
Y.O.B.
Yard

NORTON CROSS

WILLOGARTH

Twin Aquamaster
43.8 tonnes
11.6 knots
2 Ruston Diesels, 1700 BHP each
2 x Lister HRW 6MA
42 Kw

Azimuthing Kort Stern Drive

45 Tonnes
12 knots
2 x Ruston 6 RK 27 OM, 1700 BHP each
3 Gardner 6 LXB
80 kw

27.85m / 8.8m / 5.0 m

189
Quick Release 50 TC SWL Aft Dk towing
winch
N/A
N/A
7.6 tonnes
23 tonnes
Marconi Argonaut VHF
Decca Radar
6 Berths: 2 Double : 2 Single
Lloyds 100 A1 Class 1xa
UK, Middlesborough
1985
Richard Dunston

31.0 m / 9.50 m / 4.75 m

392 m
1 Winch FWD / 1 Winch AFT
Foam 16 tonnes
10 t
26 tonnes
81 tonnes
GMDSS A2
6 Crew in Single cabins
6 Pullman Bunks for Extras
UK, Liverpool
1989
Richards Ltd. Gt. Yarmouth