CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC TOWING OPERATIONS SAR Crew Manual Chapter 8 CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Jun 2010

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC

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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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.

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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?

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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?

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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?

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Tow Assist Hook

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC DIRECTION OF WIND & HEAVY SEAS Crossing the “T” Light to heavy conditions

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 45-Degree Approach light to moderate conditions

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Wind Direction Parallel Approach Light to moderate conditions

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Back Down Approach

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Making Fast Towline 1 One full turn anti clockwise around the post, under both ears and then above starboard ear

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Making Fast Towline 2 First part of first figure eight, under port ear, up and over

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Making Fast Towline 3 Second part of first figure eight, under starboard ear, up and over.

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Making Fast Towline 4 First part of second figure eight, under port ear, up and over.

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Making Fast Towline 5 Take line around under starboard ear, around back of tow post, and back over the top of the port ear.

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Making Fast Towline 6 Tighten up loop around. Line may be held, or dropped to hang under lines own weight

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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.

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC

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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC

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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Towing In Step

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Towing Out of Step

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Drogues

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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.

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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,

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Towing - JRCC SITREPs Keep JRCC or MCTS informed at regular intervals during a tow, with position and ETA.

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Towing Alongside Towing alongside is most appropriate when the manoeuvring the towed vessel into a dock or berth

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Towing Alongside Stern must be well behind other vessel Slight angle out helps provide leverage

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC 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.

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Towing Alongside

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Towing Alongside If you want to turn to port, turn the towing vessels engines to port and go ahead Engine Thrust

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Towing Alongside If you want to turn to starboard, turn the towing vessels engines to port and go astern Engine Thrust

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Advanced Towing

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Advanced Towing There are a number of advanced towing techniques that are available in certain situations

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Two FRCs, One Tow

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Two FRCs, One Tow There are occasions when faced with a big tow, and two FRCs are available that this technique is used. It can useful in shortening the duration of a tow. It can also be of use where the tow is yawing excessively e.g. damaged rudder on the casualty - the two towing vessels tend to remove some of this tendency.

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Two FRCs, One Tow Collision area

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Two FRCs, One Tow It is best that each individual FRC is made fast to a separate strong point on deck, to not overload structure on the tow. The two towing vessels should end up about 30 feet apart. In all conditions, the distance apart of the two towing vessels must be monitored.

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Towing Operations Be prepared in case the tow founders. If the towed vessel yaws badly, she can capsize in seconds. In addition she could pull the towing vessel sideways and capsize her. If this occurs be ready to let go the towline or if necessary cut the towline close to the bollard.

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Towing Operations

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC What is wrong in this photograph? Locking hitch on tow post Towing too fast

CANADIAN COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - PACIFIC Too big to tow?