Tug and Harbor Craft Vessels: Technicalities, Uses, and Advantages
Tug and harbor craft vessels are the backbones of the maritime industry. They perform many tasks in ports, harbors, and midsea, including docking, undocking, towing, salvaging, and crew transfer vessels. They are also involved in maneuvering and berthing larger ships and barges. According to Fortune Business Insights, the tugboat market is soaring daily and will be USD 74.29 billion by 2032.
Technical Details of Tug and Harbor Craft Vessels
Dimensions
- Ocean-going tug vessels: handle long-distance towing and salvage operations.
Length: 20-80 meters
Beam: 10-14 meters
- Articulated tug barges (ATB): push barges by fitting in the notch of a barge.
Length: 30 to 50 meters
Beam: 10 to 12 meters (depending on the size of the barge)
- Azimuth stern drive:
Length: 20 to 40 meters
Beam: 8 to 15 meters
- Tractor tugboat
Length: 20 to 70 meters
Beam: 10 to 12 meters
- Escort tugs
Length: 25 to 40 meters
Beam: 8 to 12 meters
- River tugboats
Length: Average 30 meters
Beam: Average 10 meters
Engine Power and Performance
Tug and harbor craft vessels mostly use diesel engines. Their power ranges from 500 to 20,000 kW, which generates the high bollard pull required for towing operations. They are used in operations on shores and deep seas.
Despite their powerful engines, patrolling vessels' speeds don't usually exceed 15 knots because they're built for towing and pushing. Patrolling vessels are harbor craft that can reach up to 40 knots.
Uses of Tug and Harbor Craft Vessels
- Transportation: These vessels tow bigger barges and ships on longer routes and can also transport cargo.
- River transport: They also help dock, undock, and position large ships through narrow water bodies such as rivers.
- Salvage and rescue: Tugboats and harbor craft vessels help tow damaged vessels and clear marine ways to prevent congestion in the sea. They are also equipped with firefighting equipment.
- Positioning of large ships: With the high maneuvering abilities and powerful engines of these vessels, ships can be turned around or positioned when on ports, passing from narrow channels, or docking and undocking at berths.
- Patrolling: They are also used for law enforcement in the sea and to monitor traffic in the sea. They are liaisons to emergency response teams.
Advantages of tug and harbor craft vessels
- The sturdy design of these vessels allows them to perform their crucial roles in adverse weather conditions.
- These play important roles in docking, undocking, positioning, escorting, towing, salvaging, rescue, communication, crew transfer, and overall keeping the maritime industry up and running!
- Tug and harbor craft vessels are always ready to tackle any emergency and prevent further damage.
- The engineering of these vessels allows them to push bigger ships in ports, harbors, and midsea.
FAQs
Q: What is the normal role of a harbor tug?
A: They help with docking and undocking maneuvers through tight spaces.
Q: How do tugboats pull big ships and barges?
A: Tugs pull ships by attaching the towline to strong and efficient motors. There are notches in ships and barges that help push them via tugboats, especially in articulated tug barge (ATB) systems.
Q: Why are the tug and harbor craft vessels the backbone of the maritime industry?
A: They provide safe and regulated movement of larger ships even in the ever-increasing traffic in seaways. They are always at standby for emergency situations.