EMERGENCY TOWING PROCEDURE

Grampian Pioneer
EMERGENCY TOWING PROCEDURE
Should Grampian Pioneer require to be towed from a forward or aft position in an
emergency the following equipment should be available for use.
Bridge:
Line throwing apparatus
VHF/ UHF Hand held radios
Forward:
Panama Leads
Mooring Bits
Mooring Ropes
Anchor Windlass/ anchor chain and heaving lines
Aft:
Panama Leads
Mooring Bits
Mooring Ropes
Winch/ heaving lines
General:
UHF/ VHF Radio communication with crew and towing vessel
Wire strops and shackles
Tools
Stoppers & Chains
Considerations when deciding on emergency towing
The proximity of any danger
The reason for the tow and how quickly normal power and propulsion can be restored
The time available to rig a tow
The availability and type of towing vessel
The availability of shipboard power
Availability of manpower
The length of time required to reach a safe destination (e.g. anchorage)
Weather conditions
Damage to the vessel
See Chart
Risk of further damage to the vessel
Risk of injury to personnel
Threat of pollution
Grampian Pioneer
Tow Options
Simple short tow with towing vessels gear (See Below)
Pass heaving line or rocket line to towing vessel (use mooring rope as messenger if
necessary).
Tow vessel connects tow line to messenger.
Grampian Pioneer heaves in tow line through one of the panama leads and secures to the
mooring bollards.
Towing vessel takes load slowly and tows Grampian Pioneer clear.
Simple short tow using own ships equipment (See Below)
Pass heaving line or rocket line to tow vessel.
Grampian Pioneer passes mooring rope tow line through forward panama lead to tow vessel
using heaving line.
Grampian Pioneer secures tow line to forward mooring bits.
Towing vessel secures tow line to towing point on deck.
Towing vessel takes load slowly and tows Grampian Pioneer clear.
Double tow line forward (See Below)
Pass two heaving lines/ rocket lines to tow vessel.
Using the heaving lines, pass two mooring ropes through the forward panama leads to the
tow vessel.
Secure both towing lines to forward bits.
Tow vessel should then secure both tow lines to a single bridle and connect the bridle to a
securing point on deck.
Tow vessel takes load slowly and tows Grampian Pioneer clear.
Anchor Chain
It is possible to use anchor chain for towing. However to achieve this, the anchor used
would have to be “stoppered off” to prevent loss. The anchor chain would then have to be
disconnected from the anchor and passed to the towing vessel using a mooring rope
messenger. If this is considered a feasible option, on smaller vessels chain may be lead
through panama lead but larger vessels should use the hawse pipe. However, as part of an
“emergency” towing plan the anchor chain is not readily seen as a viable option.
Equipment Required
Radio communication with crew and towing vessel
Wire strops and shackles
Tools
Stoppers & Chains
.
Grampian Pioneer
Simple tow
using ships
or towing
vessel gear
Double tow
leads using
both ship and
towing vessel
gear
Forecastle Deck
Simple tow
using ships or
towing vessel
gear
Possible
leads for
double
tow
After Deck
For use of anchor
cable Split cable/
Hang off /secure
anchor and feed
cable to towing
vessel using mooring
line as messenger.
Grampian Pioneer
Danger to Vessel (Time Vs Distance Reckoner)
Proximity to
danger/Severity of
disablement
≤2 miles
Minor ≤ 1 Hr to
recover
1 – 3 Hrs to recover
3 – 6 Hrs to recover
6 – 12 Hrs to recover
12 – 24 Hrs to
recover
≥ 24 Hrs to
recover
2 – 5 miles
5 – 10 miles
10 – 20 miles
≥20 miles
Immediate tow
required
Contact Tow
Vessel to Stand
by
No immediate
danger
Only in the most
serious
situations
Greater
Precautions
Required
Feasible
Danger to Personnel
Danger
Personnel on Deck
Weather
Calm
Mild – Moderate
Moderate
Moderate - Severe
Severe
Opening Hatches
Rig Towing Lines
Pass tow line to
towing vessel
Secure and Monitor
Towing Lines
Consider use of
Anchor Chain