Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T07:53:59.880Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Operation and Handling in Escort Tugboat Manoeuvres with the aid of Automatic Towing Winch Systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 July 2014

Luis Carral Couce*
Affiliation:
(Coruña University, Spain)
Juan Carlos Carral Couce
Affiliation:
(Doctorate Program, Coruña University, Spain)
José Ángel Fraguela Formoso
Affiliation:
(Coruña University, Spain)
*

Abstract

An escort tugboat comes to the aid of a vessel when that vessel is navigating in confined waters and at a speed that is usually higher than six knots. In the escort manoeuvre, two systems come into play. One is the propulsion and steering of the vessel. The other involves the tug winch in terms of the tension it exerts and the length of towline released. In this way, the tug winch becomes a key piece of equipment. Along with the difficulties of carrying out the manoeuvre itself are the risks resulting from the operation of the winch. For this reason, automatic manoeuvring systems have been developed to facilitate this operation. They consist of information technology applications that help the skipper with manoeuvring the tug. At the same time, they make it possible to display and monitor the most important parameters of the towing winch. This study will describe a control system for the towline so that it can help carry out the towing manoeuvre with an escort tug. It indicates the control parameters for the manoeuvre, as well as the operational variables of the winch on which the system runs.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Allan, R.G. (2006). A proposal for harmonized international regulations for the design and construction of tugboats. Proceedings of the 19th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Rotterdam.Google Scholar
Baniela, S.I. (2003). Los métodos de asistencia y las capacidades y limitaciones de los remolcadores. In Ph.D. thesis, El remolque en España como parte integral del sistema de seguridad del puerto. Criterios, metodología y propuestas de futuro.Google Scholar
Baniela, S.I. and Diaz, A.P. (2008). The first escort tractor Voith tug with bulbous Bow: analysis and consequences. The Journal of Navigation, 61, 143163.Google Scholar
Carral Couce, L., Carral Couce, J.C., Álvarez Feal, C. and Fernández Soto, J.L. (2011). Sistema automático de maniobra para remolcadores del tipo escolta. Proceedings of the 22th COPINAVAL, Buenos Aires.Google Scholar
Carral Couce, J.C., Carral Couce, L., Fraguela Formoso, J.A. and Fernández Soto, J.L. (2013). El chigre de remolque en las maniobras de altura y de escolta: propuesta de armonización en sus parámetros de diseño. DYNA – Industria y Energía, 88, 395399.Google Scholar
Gaston, J. (2009). The tugboat. Hayne Publising, Sparkford.Google Scholar
Hensen, H. (2003). Tug use in port – A practical guide. The Nautical Institute, London.Google Scholar
Jansen, J. (2000). ASD Tug Design - an Ongoing Development. Proceedings of the 16th international Tug & Salvage Convention, Jersey, Channel Island, United Kingdom.Google Scholar
Langerak, H. (2009). Escort Tug – Tow Winch load Control. Proceedings of The Tugnology 09, Amsterdam.Google Scholar
Tanker Operator Magazine. (2003). First Class Service with Escorts. http:www.tankeroperator.com. Accessed june/july 2003.Google Scholar
Ter Haar, J. (2010). Towing Manual. STC – Group, Rotterdam.Google Scholar
Van der Laan, M. (2002). Carrousel tug design. Proceedings of the 17th international Tug & Salvage Convention, Bilbao, Spain.Google Scholar