Tug Assistance

When in port, tugs may be required to take ships to or from their berths. Sometimes it may be
necessary to shift the ship from one berth to another and the port tug is usually ordered to do this
job.
It may also happen that the ship will need dry docking for cleaning the bottom and repairs to the hull.
A tug-boat will then be required to manoeuvre the ship into the dock.
Big ships require big tow-lines. Most modern vessels are provided with steel wire tow-lines of
sufficient length. It is advisable to use wire hawsers connected with a good length of manila rope, as
this will afford the necessary elasticity to tow- lines. Tug-boat towing the vessels may either pull
them or push them ahead.
As a rule, port tugs are well equipped and use their own lines and hawsers for towing. In such cases
masters of ships arrange with the captain of a tug how tug-lines should be secured, which side
should the tug approach the ship etc.
A ship may become disabled at sea and in this case she will need some other vessel or a tug to tow
her to the nearest port. She may then have to ask the nearest vessel for assistance and such a
vessel may not be specialized in towing. In such cases the masters of both vessels will have to settle
many problems before the actual towing can begin. They must discuss what tow-lines should be
used, how the distressed vessel should be approached, how the lines should be passed over and
secured and how long they must be.
The towed object (barge, ship or any other self-floating structure) shall have sufficient stability and
water- and weathertight integrity for the towing operation. The stability shall be documented to be in
compliance with relevant criteria.
If bilge pumps are not fitted on the towed object, bilge suction may be arranged by portable pumps
placed on board, powered from the tug. There shall normally be an anchor with cable onboard for
emergency use, rigged for easy release.
For unmanned towed objects, means for entering from the tug shall be arranged on both sides.
Navigation lights and signals are installed on the towed object.
There are three main things to consider prior towing though:

 the prediction of the weather conditions;

 the towing resistance and;
 the type of tugboat;

Actions to be taken in case of towing:

 master should always confirm that everything is secured;

 weather conditions should be checked;
 all the preparation operations should be made to the same standards regardless of the
weather or the location.

Cases for Tug Assistance

    Port Towage
Large ships normally require tug assistance for manoeuvring to and from their berth. The need for
tug assistance increases with the ship’s size, complexity of the waterways and docking facility as
well as weather conditions. Tug assistance of a vessel consists of a number of tugs pushing and/or
pulling for holding, slow movement and/or positioning of the floating object.
    Escorting
Tug escort services are implemented in several areas where ports and terminals have complex
and/or narrow entrances as it increases the safety of an operation in case of a ship’s technical failure
where the consequence of such failure may be environmentally dramatic.
    Coastal and Deepsea Towage
Tugs are often used for coastal towages of floating ships or equipment along certain country's
coastlines or even on a world-wide basis. In addition to the personnel employed in the towage
industry, many jobs are required in support industries like yards, bunker-suppliers, service providers,
etc.
    Ice Breaking
In northern areas, special icebreaking tugs are required for maintaining access to and from ports
during cold winters.
   Safety Services
At all times, tugs have been crucial not only in avoiding accidents, but also in emergency situations
rescuing the equipment, human life and protecting the environment. This service may include the
use not only of the tug itself, but also important equipment onboard as oil spill control, salvage or
wreck removal.
Other Services, tug assistance is often used for mooring ships, boarding pilots and many more
situations.

Safety and Emergency Matters

Towing operations may result in excessive loads being applied to ropes, fairleads, bitts and
connections. A sudden failure of any element in the towing arrangements may cause death or
serious injury to persons.
All towing equipment, including the tow ropes should be of the appropriate strength and size,
adequately maintained, free from defects and excessive wear and inspected before use so as to
ensure that they are in a good working condition and suitable for the intended towing operation.
Taking strain on the tow ropes should only be done after all crew members are clear from the aft
deck of the towing vessel.
The tow ropes are to be led and secured properly, and are to be capable of being released quickly
from the towing hook on the towing vessel.
The tow ropes should normally be released only when there is no stress on them. Always ensure
that the tow ropes are safely clear from the towing vessel and released before starting any engine
movements.
Do not use a retrieving line (not messenger line) to recover the tow rope as it is difficult to pay out
the tow rope and the retrieving line simultaneously in a safe manner, and the chances of the
retrieving line
getting entangled with vessel fixtures are very high.
Persons involved in a towing operation should be suitably experienced and sufficient in number, and
they should be warned of the possibility and results of sudden failure of the tow line.
The length of towline shall not exceed the length of the vessel being towed or two and a half times
the length of the towing vessel whichever is the greater. Under no circumstances other than in an
emergency situation involving safety of life or of the vessels concerned shall the length of the towline
exceed 100 metres. Whenever it is safe and practical, consideration should be given to adopting the
method of towing alongside.
Single tug shall not be in control of more than two lighters, as this being the maximum number of
lighters that may be secured together during any towing operation.
Any lighter intending to berth alongside the seawall in the vicinity of bridges should be assisted by 2
tugs.