Scarborough Borough Council – Harbours

Port Marine Safety Code

Standard Operating Procedure
Revision: 1
PI006: Non-routine Towage Assessment Date: 12/05/17

Procedure
1. Dead tows, unusual objects and non-routine towage events require individual
assessment by the qualified tug master/owner to ensure that all risks have
been accounted for and mitigated against as low as is reasonably practicable.

2. The assessment should also formulate a documented plan and take into
account whether more than one pilot is required for the operation.

3. The documentation should, as a minimum, include the “Non-routine Towage

Assessment” form at page 2 of this SOP and the risk assessment form but
may also include additional documents as appropriate.

4. Once all assessment is completed, the Harbour Authority will make a decision
based on the available information to either approve the tow or state what
additional actions must be taken before the tow will be allowed.

5. The Harbour Master reserves the right to deny the conduct of any towing
operation within the Harbour Authority’s jurisdiction.

Associated Risk Assessments

 CHA W/S/04 – Pilotage and Handling of Merchant Vessels

Associated References

 PMSC 2.4 – Commercial Operations / Pilotage

 PMSC 2.4.4 – Towage
 GTGP (2017) 10.3.8 – Dead Tows & Project Towage
 Scarborough Borough Council – Harbours
Port Marine Safety Code
Standard Operating Procedure
Revision: 1
PI006: Non-routine Towage Assessment Date: 12/05/17

Date Of Intended Passage ….……………………. Agent Making Request (POC) ………………………………….

Agency …………………………………………………….. Contact Number(s) .………………………………………………..
Type Of Towage Operation (tick) Dead Ship  Barge  Unusual Object 
Towage From …………………………………………………… To …………………………………………………………………..
Details Of The Tow
Name ………………………………………………… LOA ……………..m Breadth …………….m Draft ……..m
Brief Description of Tow …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Is the tow manned? Yes  No 
Are safe boarding arrangements available on each vessel requiring a pilot Yes  No
What functioning propulsion/steerage does the tow have?
Propeller(s)  Thruster(s)  Rudder(s)  None 
Tug Details
Name(s)……………………………………………………………………..…… LOA ………………..m Draft ………………..m
Power/Bollard Pull ……………………………… KW/t
Towing Arrangement …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Nominated Person With Overall Responsibility For The Safety Of The Manoeuvre
Name ………………………………………………….. Position …………………………………………………………………
Organisation/Vessel ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Contact Telephone No(s) …………………………………………………………………………….................................
PART 2 TO BE COMPLETED BY PORT AUTHORITY
Pilotage (to be discussed with the CHA)
Number Of Pilots Required ………….. (manned tows require a pilot)
Boarding At ……………………………….…………. Disembarking at …………………………………………………..
Have safe pilot boarding arrangements been verified Yes  No
If ‘No’ give details ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Is additional harbour towage required? Yes  No  If yes give details ………………………………......
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
If necessary where will harbour towage be required? From ……………………………. To ………………....
Port Authority Review
Passage plan timing limitations ………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Passage Plan Agreed  Risk Assessment/Method Statement Agreed/Sighted 
Reviewed By ………………………………………………………………… Position …………………………………………...
Outcome
Approved  Additional Action Required  Actions Required ….………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Signature ……………………………………………………………………… Date …………………………………………...

Capt. Ian Vasey, Borough Harbour Master