Product

Tug Stability - A practical Guide to safe Operations


by Captain Henk Hensen (Marine Consultant) 288 -

Tug Stability - A practical Guide to safe Operations
A must for tug operators and tug masters

Numerous harbour tugs have capsized often with dramatic consequences. Stability is a complex subject and mainly a specialism of naval architects. Tug masters seldom have this detailed knowledge – yet they experience the effects of a tug’s stability every day when manoeuvring their tug, either free sailing or when assisting ships.

Tugs will often be working with towline forces, hydrodynamic forces, steering and propulsion forces at or near their maximum with respect to the vessel’s stability. It is, therefore, not just desirable but necessary for tug masters to have at least a basic idea of the elements of stability.

They need to know where the limits are, and what the consequences could be, if tug handling practices don’t conform to the rules of stability in normal circumstances and also when extreme conditions such as dense fog and storms occur.

Furthermore, a tug’s stability is not a static condition but can change with every moment. Alterations in the amount of bunkers or stores, water on deck, slack tanks and ice accretion, all complicate the stability situation.

These various factors could combine to affect stability in a negative way and may even culminate in a very dangerous situation for the tug. In writing this handbook, master mariner FG and pilot Captain Henk Hensen and naval architect Dr Markus van der Laan have focused on the practical aspects of stability, tug design and equipment and also on the consequences of unsafe procedures.

Most items are clarified by simple drawings and photographs in order to optimise the explanations. It is written in such a way that it can readily be understood by all tug masters and all others in one way or another involved in tug operations, regardless of their underpinning education, formal qualifications, nationality or operational backgrounds.

The book is published by ABR Company Ltd. UK, and can be ordered at: www.tugandosv.com
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Being a Marine Pilot - Meet Neil Crysler, BC Coast Pilot

published on 4 July 2020

Meet Neil Crysler, a Licenced ship Pilot with the BC Coast Pilots, a company consisting of approximately 105 licensed marine pilots who work with the Pacific Pilotage Authority to keep the British Columbia Coast line safe and healthy. Neil takes pride in his fast paced life as a pilot. His work allows him to be on the water, getting large international tankers safely down our coast line. His work keeps him on his feet, sometimes sending him up the coast at a moment’s notice. Neil has found...

0

Video Pilot boat goes out, Pilot Boat comes in. The saltie Cape comes in. Busy Sunday in Duluth!

published on 3 May 2020

I decided to show the typical happenings when a saltwater freighter arrives Duluth. Most of the time they go to anchor and wait for the Elevator dock. The Pilot Boat brings out the Great Lakes Pilot to sail the ship into the port and to the dock. This vessel arrived early Sunday morning, went to anchor until mid afternoon. They are loading grain at the CHS Elevator in Superor.

0

Video Pilot boat by Alumarine Shipyard

published on 16 January 2020

A new generation Pilot Boat ! - One of the first IPS propelled workboat - A service speed of 30 knots - A lightweight and solid construction in aluminium - Fast crew operations and low running costs The specifications of this boat have been carefully studied to optimise performance and reliability, while minimising running costs, especially fuel consumption. Both light and powerful, this new 12-metre craft is capable of rapid turnarounds at a service speed of 30 knots. More information on...

0

Video SeaSafe - Marine pilot falling off a ships ladder with his integrated life jacket coat

published on 4 July 2019

SeaSafe - Marine pilot falling off a ships ladder with his integrated life jacket coat

0

Video Dublin Port | MOB (Man Overboard) Exercise

published on 3 November 2021

This is an exercise that is carried out at regular intervals by all crews on the Pilot boats and Tugs operating in Dublin Port, it is essential that crews are trained and ready to respond to any eventuality involving a MOB. In some instances it could be a casualty from another vessel. Being familiar with equipment and knowing what to do in any emergency is essential on board any vessel. #IrishPortSafetyWeek #DublinPort Find out more at: https://www.dublinport.ie/irish-ports-host-inaugural-...

0

Article USCG: Marine Saefty alert on accommodation ladders

published on 15 September 2021

The Coast Guard Office of Investigations and Analysis has released Marine Safety Alert 05-21, to notify mariners to a potentially dangerous situation involving corrosion of the turntable pin on accommodation ladders.

2

Video TRENZ PPU SIRIUS - New Generation Portable Pilot Unit

published on 18 February 2025

TRENZ proudly present you the next generation portable pilot unit. "SIRIUS" has been redesigned to allow more functionality and precision now and new features in the future. www.trenz-ppu.com SIRIUS Features: High-precision Rate of Turn (ROT) achieved through dual gyroscope and accelerometer integration, utilizing the TRENZ Sensor Fusion algorithm Standard-precision GNSS receiver supporting four concurrent constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou) and augmentation via SBAS Advanced AIS/...

2

Article Operational notes & recommendations on Portable Pilot Units (PPU)

by United Kingdom Maritime Pilots Association - published on 2 December 2021

OPERATIONAL NOTES AND RECOMMENDATIONS by UKMPA, February 2017
The introduction of modern lightweight Portable Pilot Units (PPU) for use during pilotage has proved to be another major advance for pilotage operations worldwide.

1

Video TRENZ Pilot Plug - Wärtsilä Pilot PRO

published on 5 July 2019

This video shows how to use the TRENZ Pilot Plug with an iPad and the app Wärtsilä Pilot PRO.
Wärtsilä Pilot PRO can be bought from the Apple AppStore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wärts...
Please visit https://trenz-pilotplug.com/ for more information.

0

Article Who is a Marine Pilot? Comment by Reshma Nilofer Naha

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 16 September 2019

Comment and photos by Reshma Nilofer Naha
India's first female Marine Pilot (Kalkata Port Trust)

0