Bow Tug Operations
with Azimuth Stern Drive Tugs
Risks and Effectiveness
Guidelines for tug captains, ship masters, pilots and tug operators.

This monograph has been written by one of the world's leading towage consultants to explain the underlying reasons for a number of serious accidents which have occurred recently when using azimuth stern drive tugs in assistance either towing bow to bow or stern to bow.

The sections cover:

* general introduction and definition;
* risks, effectiveness and operational considerations when working bow or stern to bow;
* the importance of experience and training to manage critical situations;
* practical conclusions and recommendations; and
* cases that have been investigated.

The monograph includes a number of informative illustrations to explain the towing forces, interaction effects, design limitations, approach strategies and operational practices.

The lessons are addressed to tug captains, shipmasters, pilots, tug operators, marine administrations and fleet managers to identify the potential dangers and ways to avoid them.