TOWING OPERATIONS SAR Crew Manual Chapter 8

1. TOWING OPERATIONSSAR Crew Manual Chapter 8 Jun 2010 CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC

3. Towing Operations • Towing operations can turn from routine to deadly very quickly • Crew must always be vigilant and be ready to react immediately if the operation goes wrong

4. Towing Operations • On approach to the vessel being towed for anybody who may be already in the water • Always conduct a full 360° circle with the Stop, Assess, Plan prior to approaching a vessel requiring a tow • This is to be followed by a Pre Tow Briefing, and allocation of duties to the crew by the coxswain, with the Line Handler in charge.

5. Towing Operations • This helps the crew to work together and promote positive communication • Thoroughly check all towing gear before moving in to pass the tow

6. Towing Safety • The tow line can be dangerous and can kill • Check all towing gear is in good condition • Never wear gloves when making fast or adjusting the tow line • Never stand in the bight • The towing vessel must be making no way when securing the tow line on the post • Stay out of the line of recoil in case the line breaks

7. Towing Safety • Always use your own tow line • Attach the towline to strong points on the towed vessel • Never use locking hitches on the towline • Take all way off the towing vessel when adjusting the length of tow rope

8. Towing Questions • Questions to be asked of person on board vessel to be towed are: 1. Is everyone accounted for - how many? 2. Any injuries requiring treatment? 3. What is the nature of the problem? 4. Is the vessel taking on any water? 5. Is the vessel stable for towing?

9. Towing Questions 6. Does the vessel have lights or searchlight? 7. Are all hatches and doors secure? 8. What is the vessel’s hull speed? 9. Where is the vessel from and where does it need to go? 10. What VHF channels are available?

10. Towing Questions 11. Does the vessel have a shaft brake? 12. What are the best securing points for the tow (if any)? 13. Are the towed vessel’s crew able to secure the towline?

11. Information to Pass to Tow 1. We will tow you to….. 2. Verbal or written towing waiver given and agreed 3. Everyone to wear their lifejacket or PFD 4. Inspect all vessel and void spaces for flooding 5. Close and secure all doors and hatches

12. Information to Pass to Tow 6.Maintain listening watch on VHF channel …… and 7. Check in with towed vessel regularly 8. Set up alternative communication 9. Turn on navigation lights 10. Secure rudder amidships or steer for towing vessel’s stern

13. Information to Pass to Tow 11. Secure propellor shaft, or fold propellor blades if possible 12. Prepare to take the towline as we pass …… 13. Secure the line to …………….. And advise when it is secure 14. All crew to stay inboard and keep weight low in the vessel

14. Towing Operations • The principal positions are: 1. Helm - controlling the vessel safely during the approach, and then the tow 2. Tow Watch - must watch the tow at all times for anything unusual 3. Line Handler - prepares, and passes the towline. Controls the line during the tow

15. Heaving Lines • Use a heaving line to throw to the vessel to be towed, to then act as a messenger for the main tow line

16. Tow Assist Hook

17. Crossing the “T” DIRECTION OF WIND & HEAVY SEAS • Light to heavy conditions

18. 45-Degree Approach • light to moderate • conditions

19. Parallel Approach Wind Direction • Light to moderate • conditions

20. Back Down Approach

21. Making Fast Towline • Before making fast the towline to the tow post on the towing vessel, the towing vessel must be stopped • Do not wear gloves when making fast the towline. • Keep the helm informed as to how much rope is in the water, whether it is close to the propeller, and whether it is safe to come ahead on the engines

22. Making Fast Towline 1 One full turn anti clockwise around the post, under both ears and then above starboard ear

23. Making Fast Towline 2 First part of first figure eight, under port ear, up and over

24. Making Fast Towline 3 Second part of first figure eight, under starboard ear, up and over.

25. Making Fast Towline 4 First part of second figure eight, under port ear, up and over.

26. Making Fast Towline 5 Take line around under starboard ear, around back of tow post, and back over the top of the port ear.

27. Making Fast Towline 6 Tighten up loop around. Line may be held, or dropped to hang under lines own weight

28. Making Fast Towline 7 The DANGER AREA if the line breaks, is everywhere to the starboard side of the tow post and aft of the tow post. The line handler is to stand to port side and forward of the tow post.

30. Towline Length • A catenary is important to have in the towline between the towing and towed vessels, as it acts as a shock absorber • The longer the towline, the bigger the catenary

32. Towline Length • Extreme stress is placed on the towline if the towed vessel and the towing vessel are out of synch with their position in the sea or swell • Try to get the vessels in step

33. Towing In Step

34. Towing Out of Step

35. Towing in Heavy Seas • If towing with a large following sea, it may be necessary to deploy a drogue from the stern of the towed vessel, to control its speed surfing down a wave, as there is a danger of it broaching and capsizing

36. Drogues

37. Towing Speed • If the towing speed is reduced, the strain on the tow rope is reduced, and the catenary is increased. • Do not try to tow a vessel faster than its hull speed

38. Towing Operations • If necessary lengthen the tow line. • The catenary of the rope (the amount it hangs between the two vessels) will absorb greater shock and reduce the shocks on the towline.

39. Towing Log Entries • The log must be well kept to counter any legal claims that arise from disputes during the towing operation. • Items to be logged include: 1. the consent to tow, 2. weather and sea conditions, 3. reasons for the tow,

40. Towing Log Entries 4. danger the towed vessel was in, 5. existing damage, 6. number of persons on board 7. destination 8. positions every 15 minutes 9. change of tow set up or length 10. change of weather

41. Towing - JRCC SITREPs • Keep JRCC or MCTS informed at regular intervals during a tow, with position and ETA.

42. Towing Alongside • Towing alongside is most appropriate when the manoeuvring the towed vessel into a dock or berth

43. Towing Alongside • Stern must be well behind other vessel • Slight angle out helps provide leverage

44. Towing Alongside • If possible the headline, forward spring and sternline should be rigged as slip ropes, or so that the eye is on the towed vessel and the other end is belayed onboard the towing vessel, so that control of the line stays onboard the towing vessel.

45. Towing Alongside

46. Towing Alongside • If you want to turn to port, turn the towing vessels engines to port and go ahead Engine Thrust

47. Towing Alongside • If you want to turn to starboard, turn the towing vessels engines to port and go astern Engine Thrust

48. Advanced Towing

49. Advanced Towing • There are a number of advanced towing techniques that are available in certain situations

50. Two FRCs, One Tow