Tugboat

A tugboat (tug) is a boat that maneuvers vessels by pushing or towing them. Tugs move vessels that either should not move themselves, such as ships in a crowded harbor or a narrow canal, or those that cannot move by themselves, such as barges, disabled ships, log rafts, or oil platforms. Tugboats are powerful for their size and strongly built, and some are ocean-going. Some tugboats serve as icebreakers or salvage boats. Early tugboats had steam engines, but today most have diesel engines. Many tugboats have firefighting monitors, allowing them to assist in firefighting, especially in harbors.

Types of tugboats

Seagoing tugboats

Seagoing tugboats (or ocean tugboats) fall into four basic categories:

  • The standard seagoing tugboat with model bow that tows its "payload" on a hawser.
  • The "Notch Tug" which can be secured in a notch at the stern of a specially designed barge, effectively making the combination a ship. This configuration is dangerous to use with a barge which is "in ballast" (no cargo) or in a head or following sea. Therefore, the "notch tugs" are usually built with a towing winch. With this configuration, the barge being pushed might approach the size of a small ship, with interaction of the water flow allowing a higher speed with a minimal increase in power required or fuel consumption.
  • Tugs (TV series)

    Tugs (stylized as TUGS) was a British children's television series first broadcast in 1988. It was created by the producers of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Robert D. Cardona and David Mitton. The series deals with the adventures of two anthropomorphized tugboat fleets, the Star Fleet and the Z-Stacks, who compete against each other in the fictional Bigg City Port.

    The series was set in the Roaring Twenties, and was produced by Tugs Ltd., for Television South (TVS) and Clearwater Features Ltd. The music was composed by Junior Campbell and Mike O'Donnell, who also wrote the music for Thomas & Friends.

    Due to the bankruptcy of Television South, the series did not continue production past 13 episodes. Following the initial airing of the series throughout 1989, television rights were sold to an unknown party, while all models and sets from the series sold to Britt Allcroft. Modified set props and tugboat models were used in Thomas & Friends from 1991 onwards, with footage from the original program being heavily dubbed and edited for use in the American children's series Salty's Lighthouse.

    TUGS

    TUGS may refer to:

  • Tugs (TV series) on British children's television
  • tugboats

  • Podcasts:

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    Latest News for: tugs

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    Damen Signs with T�rkiye-based I�DAS for local ASD Tug 2813 Construction

    The Maritime Executive 23 Apr 2025
    On 25 March Damen Shipyards Group signed a contract with IÇDAS in Türkiye for the local construction of an ASD Tug 2813. The signing follows Damen Shipyards Galati’s construction of two tugs for the company back in 2002.
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    Noatum Maritime Pioneers Zero-Emission Harbour Operations with 100% Electric Tugs and Pilot Boat

    Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide 22 Apr 2025
    ... hydrofoiling pilot boat, and the purchase of two fully electric tug boats.
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    Argentine Responders Rescue Crew of Sinking Tug on Rio de la Plata

    The Maritime Executive 22 Apr 2025
    Last week, the Argentine Naval Prefecture rescued the crew of a tug that flooded and partially sank while pushing a container barge off the coast of Buenos Aires ... The tug Papu Mar is still partially ...
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    Alewijnse: Tug Production Boost at Damen Song Cam Shipyard

    MarineLink 22 Apr 2025
    Electrical system integrator Alewijnse is preparing for an increasing number of tugs and workboats being built at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam ... Within this collaboration is the RSD Tug 2513 Electric, the world's first fully electric tugboat.
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    Tonga's 'Tug-of-War Continues' Over Unresolved Allegations

    Scoop 21 Apr 2025
    Tongan Prime Minister Dr 'Aisake Eke has made a number of claims against his predecessor Hu'akavameiliku but has yet elaborate on them ... .
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    Alma-chan’s Heartfelt Journey: A Teaser Trailer That Tugs at Your Heartstrings

    The Times of India 20 Apr 2025
    The upcoming anime Alma-chan Wants to Have a Family! has captured hearts even before its official premiere ... While many may see her as just an experiment, Alma’s desire is pure and relatable—she wants to know the warmth of a family ... I wasn’t born ... .
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    Update on Precious Puppy Found Abandoned in Box in Georgia Tugs at the Heartstrings

    AOL 18 Apr 2025
    An update on a puppy taken in by an animal rescue is almost too heartbreaking for words. Cinderella was found in the worst situation imaginable ... But they need our help to turn things around for the pup ... And she was in poor health too ... Related ... .
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    Port Of L.A. To Get First Electric Tug Via Diesel Conversion

    Forbes 17 Apr 2025
    The Port of Los Angeles will soon have its first electric tug as electric boat company Arc Boat makes its first foray into commercial marine ... .
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    Greenland’s strategic tensions: A tug-of-war over sovereignty, strategy and alliance

    Natural News 17 Apr 2025
    Greenland’s geopolitical significance — its location between North America and Europe, rich resources and military value—has long attracted... .
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    Arc Expands into the Commercial Sector with Fast Track of First Electric Tug Boat

    Longview News-Journal 17 Apr 2025
    Servicing the busiest port in the U.S., Arc's first retrofitted tug boat is poised to save operators up to 50% compared to diesel vessels, setting a new standard for marine power systems to modernize today's vessels ....
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    Damen Signs with Arena Offshore A.S. for Construction of Stan Tugs 1606

    The Maritime Executive 16 Apr 2025
    for the local construction of two Stan Tugs 1606 ... will construct the tugs in Türkiye under the Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC) ... Tug evolution ... The Stan Tug 1606 is a vessel proven in operation over many years.
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