11 Towing Vessel Requirements
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC/Circular.884 – Guidelines for Safe Ocean Towing – (Adopted on 21 December 1998) - Annex - Draft Guidelines for Safe Ocean Towing - 11 Towing Vessel Requirements

11 Towing Vessel Requirements

  11.1 Towing vessels should carry on board appropriate valid cargo ships certificates according to their size.

The following documents should also be provided:

  • Documentation of bollard pull
  • Documentation of all towing vessel equipment, ref. section 12

  11.2 The continuous bollard pull (BP) at maximum continuous rated power of the main propulsion machinery should be documented. The testing procedure in Appendix A or a similar procedure should be adhered to.

  11.3 When selecting towing vessels for long distance towing operations, special considerations should be given to the following:

  • the vessels propulsion and steering gear are appropriate for the proposed towage operation;
  • the towline should not hamper the vessel's manoeuvrability under extreme environmental conditions; and
  • the towing gear can be handled safely and effectively.

  11.4 Towing vessels should have an adequate reserve of fuel depending on the duration of the towing operation. If refuelling on route is necessary, suitable arrangements should be provided before towing commences.

  11.5 Towing vessels should keep a towing log with information according to Appendix B. Further, it should keep an engine log for main propulsion machinery and auxiliaries required for the towage, which as a minimum should contain information related to running hours and unscheduled events.

  11.6 Towing vessels should have a documented maintenance system for all important systems including communication and navigation equipment, main and auxiliary machinery, and steering and towing gear.

  11.7 Notwithstanding the above requirements, all towing vessels, irrespective of their size, should have as a minimum:

  • .1 marine radar in compliance with relevant recognized performance standards appropriate for the size and operation of the vessel;

  • .2 adequate self-sufficient fire suppression capability;

  • .3 installation of the following equipment:

    • .3.1 a searchlight that can be directed from the vessel's main steering station;

    • .3.2 two VHF-FM radios with Digital Selective Calling capability if not already equipped with Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS);

    • .3.3 an illuminated card type magnetic steering compass or an illuminated flux gate magnetic compass (with a reserve power supply) that can be read at the vessel's main steering station;

    • .3.4 an echo depth-sounding device that can be read at the vessel's main steering station; and

    • .3.5 an electronic positioning device; and

  • .4 the following on board:

    • .4.1 currently corrected marine charts of the area to be transited, published by an appropriate authority, of a scale large enough to make navigation of the area possible; and

    • .4.2 any other useful currently corrected navigational publications and notices.

Parent topic: Annex - Draft Guidelines for Safe Ocean Towing
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