Maritime Compliance 13 items
Tugboat and Towing Operations Safety
Assesses towing gear, girting prevention, and communications for tug and tow operations, covering connection, watchkeeping, and emergency release.
ISM CodeIMO Res. A.535COLREGs
Free PDF · enter your email to download.
Towing Gear Inspection
- Are the towline, bridle, and connecting hardware inspected and within their certified safe working load? *
- Is the towing winch, hook, and its emergency (quick) release tested and functioning? *
- Are gob ropes, gog wires, or tow pins available and rigged to control the towline lead? *
- Enter the certified breaking load of the main towline in tonnes.
Girting and Capsize Prevention
- Is the crew briefed on girting (girding) risk and the actions to slip or release the tow immediately? *
- Are self-release or quick-release arrangements accessible to the tug operator at all times during towing? *
- Is the tug's stability and freeboard suitable for the towing forces expected in the operation? *
Communications and Watchkeeping
- Is reliable two-way communication established between the tug, the tow, and any controlling station? *
- Are the required towing lights and shapes displayed for the length of the tow? *
- Is a dedicated lookout and helm watch maintained throughout the towing operation? *
Emergency Preparedness
- Is a towing emergency plan available covering parting of the tow, girting, and personnel recovery? *
- Are personnel prohibited from standing in the bight or snap-back zone of working lines? *
- Is a means to recover a lost tow, such as a messenger or emergency towing pennant, available? *
Download the full Tugboat and Towing Operations Safety checklist
Get it as a clean, printable PDF — free.