Tug Stability A Practical Guide to Safe Operations

Polestar Rotterdam, hardcover 110 pages, illustrated.ÂOver the years numerous harbour tugs have capsized, often with tragic consequences. Stability is a complex subject and mainly a specialism of naval architects. Tug masters seldom have this detailed knowledge â" yet they experience the effects of a tugâs stability every day when manoeuvring their tug, either free sailing or when assisting ships.Tugs will often be working with towline forces, hydrodynamic forces, steering and propulsion forces at or near their maximum with respect to the vesselâs stability.ÂIt is, therefore, not just desirable but necessary for tug masters to have at least a basic idea of the elements of stability. They need to know where the limits are, and what the consequences could be, if tug handling practices donât conform to the rules of stability in normal circums.