REACHING PORT

1 PREPARE ON THE APPROACH

Once you have reached sheltered water slow down and shorten the tow. At this stage you may want to ask the marina launch or harbour master to take over as their boat may be better suited to the task. Whether that is not possible or not, the best plan is to opt for an alongside tow. Setting it up correctly is crucial to manoeuvrability.

3 UTILISE BOW AND STERN LINES

Use plenty of fenders and position the tug so the pivot point of the combined vessels is well forward of the propeller and rudder of the tug.

This usually means the tug is positioned on the towed vessel’s quarter with the prop and rudder of the tug behind the transom of the tow. Use bow and stern lines to keep them parallel, or slightly bows in. The spring from the towed vessel’s stern to the tug’s bow will take the weight of the tow, and the spring from the towed vessel’s bow to the tug’s stern will stop the towed vessel surging ahead when slowing down.

2 OPT FOR AN ALONGSIDE TOW IN BUSY WATERS

Once you arrive in the congested waters of a harbour you need greater control of the tow – and importantly the ability to slow down easily. The alongside tow allows you to position the disabled boat on a pontoon which is probably best for any repairs.

Think carefully about which side is best for the tow, bearing in mind what the wind and tide are doing on the mooring or pontoon at the final destination. The tug will need to be on the outside when you come alongside.

4 STEERING THE ALONGSIDE TOW

The tug must steer, but the towed vessel can assist. With the tug’s rudder far enough aft and plenty of throttle (above), turning either way is possible, but it is much easier to turn towards the towed vessel. Conversely when the tug goes astern to slow down at the destination, the tow will rotate towards the tug’s side. Unsurprisingly the stopping distance is much longer so take it slowly. The helm of the tug may not be able to see clearly all round so keep communicating between tug and tow.

Use plenty of fenders, plus a bow and stern line as well as fore and aft springs

If you can hand over to a harbour master’s workboat for the last bit, so much the better It’s still worth setting fenders against a RIB to prevent scratches and scuffs

You should be able to turn both ways, but turning towards the towed vessel

Think about where you will come alongside before choosing how to set up the alongside tow