About the Course

Many means of transport and operating ships are going through stages of rapid development towards electronic operation or automatic movement.

Research has become almost daily in maritime work related to the automation of units; this research adopts the large marine industry companies, which gives the impression of adopting this company in this direction. The question is to what extent these developments are realistic and whether they are applied in general, to specific sectors, or may need to be revised. This brings us to the question of the development of harbor towage during the next thirty years and what factors must be considered when working with automation on board the tugs and port services.

This Advanced Harbor Towage training course aims to give essential and advanced information about tugs and their uses. As expected, it has to consider the developments in ports, ships, and tugs. Other necessary consequences will occur during the coming decades that will affect the ports and services provided, such as towage and increasing the demand for tugs. Developments should also be made to construct modern ports and build suitable tugs for the future. The world of harbor towage is changing rapidly. Although the basic principles and activities have not changed much, there has been a remarkable development in the design, application, and technologies used on board the tugs.

Core Objectives

This training course aims to equip the delegates with complete and advanced information about Harbor Towage and the abilities needed to perform all duties related to towing operations and its associated activities inside the port for all concerned persons, such as port managers, port captains, jetty supervisors, port pilots, and tugboats masters.

Additionally, it will give the assurance necessary to successfully safely berthing and unberthing operation using all possible maneuvers and techniques that align with best maritime acknowledged practices.

The delegates will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand all topics related to the advanced harbor towage operation
• Understand the tug's design, shape, and types
• Terminal/port operation 
• Tug's movements and its best position during the Maneuvering
• Operation challenges and limitations
• Complete understanding of Towing Equipment

Training Approach

This training course will give the delegates the knowledge needed for the theoretical and practical Harbor Towage knowledge. They will learn about and comprehend the following through a highly interactive blend of presentations, group discussions, and individual case studies:

• The history, background of harbor towage, and various types of tugs.
• The principles and practice of tug movements.
• The exert of the towage operation with proper communication among all delegates.
• The associated risks with towage and adequate action in an emergency.

The Attendees

This training course will benefit those involved in Port Operation and Marine Operation Department ashore and afloat. It will also raise awareness for Harbor Towage Operations regarding the advanced handling of different types of tugs, Tugs' Safety, Technical information, and shore side Operation.

Likewise, it will be valuable to the professionals but not limited to the following:

• Port Manager
• Port Captain
• Jetty Supervisor
• Port Pilot
• Tugboats Masters and Mates

Daily Discussion

DAY ONE: INTRODUCTION – HISTORY, BACKGROUND, AND TYPES OF HARBOR TUGS

• History and Background of Harbor Towage
• Voith Schneider Tugs
• Azimuth Tractor Tugs/Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD)
• Combi-Tugs
• Conventional Tugs
• ROTOR-Tugs
• SDMs or ATTs
• DOT Tug
• The New Tug concept RAVE

DAY TWO: TUG CAPACITY, DESIGN, AND BOLLARD PULL

• Factors Influencing Tug Design
• Tug Capacity Requirements
• Bollard Pull Definitions
• Calculate the Bollard Pull/Power of a Propeller
• What is effective bollard pull, and how does towline length affect it?

DAY THREE: HARBOR OPERATIONS, CONSTRAINTS, AND ITS LIMITATION

• Tug Capabilities, Limitation, and Constraints
• Effective Tugs Location and Loss of Towing Effectiveness
• An understanding of the effects of wind, current, shallow water, banks, and narrow channels on the behavior of the Tug
• Interaction and Tug Safety: A greater understanding of “interaction between vessels” and the dangers of girting
• Under Keel Clearance
• Towage in Restricted Visibility

DAY FOUR: TOWING OPERATION

• Bow and Escorting Towing Operations
• Static Towing
• Passing and Recovery of Towing Gear
• Tow Winch Operations and Tugger Winches
• Use of Bridle and Gob
• SPM Hawser & Cargo Hose Assist Operation
• Towing Unmanned Vessels: Barges

DAY FIVE: TOWING EQUIPMENT

• Different Types of Towlines: Advantages and Disadvantages
• Tow Lines - Mooring Lines - Details and Hazards
• Inspection of Towing Equipment
• Testing of Winch and Hook Release Mechanisms
• Towing Winch and Hook Emergency Release