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Marine Towage Risks

Marine towage involves three main types of operations: harbour towage, salvage towing of disabled vessels, and ocean towage of barges by tugs. Ocean towage is the focus, as it presents various risks. Tugs tow barges to transport oversized cargo to remote locations lacking infrastructure. Ensuring the tug has enough power and the barge is stable and suitable for the cargo is crucial. A marine surveyor assesses all aspects such as route planning, weather, tow equipment, and cargo securing to determine if the risks are manageable and issue a towage approval certificate. Specialist insurers have experience insuring towage risks.

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Ajay Singh
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534 views2 pages

Marine Towage Risks

Marine towage involves three main types of operations: harbour towage, salvage towing of disabled vessels, and ocean towage of barges by tugs. Ocean towage is the focus, as it presents various risks. Tugs tow barges to transport oversized cargo to remote locations lacking infrastructure. Ensuring the tug has enough power and the barge is stable and suitable for the cargo is crucial. A marine surveyor assesses all aspects such as route planning, weather, tow equipment, and cargo securing to determine if the risks are manageable and issue a towage approval certificate. Specialist insurers have experience insuring towage risks.

Uploaded by

Ajay Singh
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Marine Towage Risks

Marine Towage Risks Towage is largely split into three main groups of exposure: Harbour berthing assistance & repositioning within harbour limits Dead-ship ocean tow of a disabled or salvaged vessel Tug & Barge operations ocean & coastal towage as the principal commercial activity. For the purposes of this newsletter, we will focus on Tug & Barge operations although many of the risk properties will apply to all three groups to a greater or lesser degree. To a large extent, towage is a simpler and more efficient way of moving awkward or oversized cargoes. Weight, size & dimensions may combine with a relatively remote location &/or lack of suitable harbour infrastructure to make tug & barge delivery the only viable & most cost effective option. Towing is a complicated procedure which requires particular focus on the stresses exerted on the Tug, Barge and the tow cable connecting the two vessels. The parting of a tow cable at sea can lead to a difficult and dangerous re-connection process &/or lead to the loss of the towed vessel (barge & cargo). In addition, the towed vessel will usually be un-manned and has no motive power. This means that it will be very susceptible to the elements (wind, tide & sea state). Stability can also be a significant consideration where the barge is loaded with cargo. A number of specific risk criteria must be focussed on to adequately assess ocean towage exposures & set any initial/additional premium: the barge needs to be capable of carrying the cargo size & dimension has a direct correlation to centre of gravity & stability the tug requires sufficient power to tow the barge (often expressed as the bollard pull) detailed route planning is necessary to ensure the cumbersome tow has adequate sea room to maneuver & a contingency plan in the event of bad weather (port of refuge). A marine surveyor specialising in towage will be engaged to complete a Tug, Tow & Towage survey to ensure all exposure aspects have been attended to. The surveyor will issue a towage approval certificate as confirmation. The surveyors focus will be concentrated on: weather prior to and during the voyage tow line set-up & configuration confirmation of tug capability & crew experience - includes sufficient fuel, spare parts & spare tow equipment

appropriate towing lights & day signals (as required by International law) cargo securing & tow stability (where cargo is carried). For longer voyages the surveyor will monitor & report on the progress of the tow including position, speed, sea state & weather, fuel consumption & endurance, estimated arrival. Specialist Marine Insurers have many years experience insuring Towage risks of all kinds. Disclaimer: This bulletin is for information purposes only and is not legal advice.

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