Towing

1
Towing Being Towed
Rudyard Lake Sailing Club
2
Fault Finding Can we fix it?

• Engine Wont Start / Has Cut Out
• Have we run out of fuel?
• Is the fuel line still attached to the engine?
• Is the fuel line trapped?
• Has the engine run out of oil (2 stroke)?
• Has the engine overheated?
• Has the kill cord been activated?
• Is the kill cord inserted correctly?

3
Actions to Take

• Dont Panic Assess the Situation
• Are we drifting? Do we have room to Leeward?
• - Use the Anchor to stabilise your position.
• Are you in a group (other powerboats)?
• - Communicate you problem with them. (VHF,
  Phone, Visual)
• Do you need external assistance?
• Who can you contact? (Coastguard, Marina, other
  Boats)
• How do you contact them (VHF, Mobile, Waving
  Arms, Flares?)
• Is this situation an emergency? How severe is it
  really?

4
Salvage and the Law

• Help arrives what now?
• Dont forget Salvage Rights.
• Be aware of it, however not all who come to
  assist will be looking to claim salvage of your
  craft.
• They will be looking for compensation of their
  time and fuel costs.
• Agree Terms First (What is it going to cost me?)
• Offer your lines.
• Agree where they will take you.
• If you fail to agree terms you could be faced
  with a hefty bill to get your boat back. Read up
  on the legal situation and be prepared.

5
Techniques of Towing

1. Alongside Tow
2. Stern Tow
3. Multiple Tows

6
Before We Tow - Considerations

• Which side should I approach them on?
• Length of tow, how far?
• Where am I going to take them?
• How will the conditions affect the tow?
• Are the crew of the towed boat safe to remain in
  that boat?
• Has the disabled boat got suitable anchoring
  points for ropes?
• Is their boat damaged in any way?
• Do we need any other assistance are the crew in
  any immediate danger hypothermia, exposure etc?

7
Alongside Tow
8
Towing Powerboat
Help Help Help I Need Assistance
Bows should be toed inwards
Disabled Powerboat
Towing boat to be astern of the disabled boat
1. Which side do we choose?
2. How do we position the boats?
3. What lines do we use?
9
As the boat is towed which ropes will become
tight? A, B, C or D
Spring
D
Bow Line
Stern Line
A
B
Spring
C
10
Before Moving Off

• Make sure all knots are tied in the towing boat
  and are easily accessible for a quick release.
• Agree communication signals.
• Raise the outboard on the disabled craft.
• Ensure no ropes are left dangling overboard.
• Are the ropes sufficiently tight?
• Crew disposition.
• Assess where you are taking the tow and how the
  conditions will affect you. Room to Manoeuvre?

11
Stern Tow
12
Towing Powerboat

1. Discuss and agree method.
2. Agree Communication Signals.
3. Prepare the Bridle and raise the disabled crafts
   engine.
4. Ensure adequate anchor points are used.
5. Keep personnel clear of tow lines as they may
   swing and become very tight Risk of Crushing

Disabled Powerboat
13
1. Having Secured a tow line to the Bridle move
forward carefully.
2. Take the slack out of the tow line.
3. Increase speed slowly and monitor the tow at
all times.
14
Whilst Under Tow

• Plan your route well ahead and prepare an escape
  route when nearing others and fixed objects.
• Are all of the crew away from ropes under load?
• Is the tow stable?
• Are the crew comfortable?
• Are the knots holding?
• Slow down over a distance to avoid the tow
  running into the tug.
• Where am I taking them, how will the conditions
  affect me?

15
Multiple Tow
16
Multiple Stern Tow In Line Tow
To avoid boats running into each other when
slowing down get the crew to put all their weight
to the back of their dinghys. Steer to follow the
boat in front. Attach the line to the mast and
thwart one end should be easily released in an
emergency.
17
Multiple Stern Tow - Herringbone
To avoid boats running into each other when
slowing down get the crew to put all their weight
to the back of their dinghys. Steer to follow the
boat in front. Attach the line to the mast and
thwart one end should be easily released in an
emergency.
18
Questions

• Name the methods /options of towing.
• What are the 4 main ropes used in an alongside
  tow called?
• Which ones take the load when going forwards?
• What should you agree before you tow?
• What is one of the risks with a in line stern
  tow?
• What should be done with a disabled boats engine?
• Where should the crew of the disabled boat sit?
• Where should you tie the knots on ropes?