Published: November 2021
The purpose of this book is to provide practical seamanship guidance to Masters and crews of salvage, anchor handling and other tugs planning and conducting rescue towage within, and in close proximity to, oilfields. The personnel and crew serving on vessels and MODUs within oilfields will also learn how tugs operate during rescue towage. When planning for contingencies, both from a shoreside and a vessel perspective, this publication will assist in providing an overview of methods available for reconnection and other options that vessels find most practicable. Rescue towing in the context of this publication includes reconnection by a tug to a towed object when the original towline is broken, assisting another tug that has lost control of its tow, when additional tow power is required or when towage services can be offered to a vessel or unit requiring the services of a tug to avoid marine peril. This is not a definitive guide for professional salvors.
Table of Contents
Foreword Introduction
Notes on Units of Measurement
1. Phases of the Rescue Operation
Information Required by the Tug Master
Contingency Planning
Assessment of Conditions
Connecting the Tow
Getting Underway and Management of the Tow
Tow Management in Heavy Weather
Guidance for Tow Masters/Masters of Towed Objects in an Oilfield
2. Safety and Communication
Safety
Hazards
Communication
Log Keeping
3. Tug Types and Equipment
Salvage Tugs
Anchor Handling Tugs
Small Seagoing Tugs/Multi-purpose Tugs
Harbour Tugs
Towing Wires, Ropes, Pennants and Other Equipment
4. MODU Rescue Tows
Semi-submersible Drilling Rigs and Accommodation Units
Rescue Towage – Jackup Rigs
FPSOs
5. Vessel Connection Methods
Oilfield Hazards
Transferring a Connection Across to an object to be towed
Securing Tow Gear on the Casualty
Oil Tankers
6. Barge Reconnection and Recovery Methods
Connecting Emergency Tow Gear
Emergency Towing Systems – Unmanned Tows
Fishing the Main Gear
Reconnecting Main Gear
Barge Emergency Anchor Release Systems (BEAR)
7. Legal Considerations
8. Responsibilities
Offshore Installation Manager (OIM)
Tow Masters
Tug Masters
Glossary of Terms
References
Annexes
