Southampton Towage Guidelines

Applicable to Berths 20 to 207

1. Notwithstanding anything contained in these guidelines the towage requirement for an individual vessel remains the responsibility of the master. The number of tugs required may be increased when unfavourable conditions exist or when the handling characteristics of the vessel are in doubt. The master may, in appropriate circumstances and with the prior approval of the pilot and/or Harbour Master decrease the number of tugs recommended in these guidelines.
2. These Guidelines shall be applied when using tugs with a minimum bollard pull of 18 tonnes per tug. Where reductions on account of thrusters indicate a requirement of only 1 tug then an omni-directional "tractor" type tug with a bollard pull in excess of a 30 tonnes must be employed. If tugs are to be used which do not comply with the above criteria additional tugs may be required after consultation with the Liaison Pilot and the Towing Company representatives.
3. The recommended number of tugs to be used will be dependent on vessel draught, wind and tidal conditions, disposition of other vessels and Port infrastructure and where agreement exists between the master, pilot, individual Company and Harbour Master.
4. Bow and Stern thrusters which are in good working order and producing a designed power output in proper proportion to the vessels size and draught may in certain circumstances be considered as equivalent to one tug subject to the agreement of the master and pilot.

Berths 20-27

High Freeboard Vessels/Ferries

Up to 125m LOA At Liaison Pilots Discretion

Over 125m LOA 2 Tugs Berthing/Unberthing

Miscellaneous Vessels At Liaison Pilots Discretion

High Freeboard/Ro Ro Vessels

Up to 125m LOA At Liaison Pilots Discretion

Over 125m LOA 2 Tugs Swinging / 1 Tug Not Swinging

Bulk Vessels

Up to 125m LOA At Liaison Pilots Discretion

125m to 180m LOA 2 Tugs Inwards / 2 Tugs Outwards

Over 180m LOA 3 Tugs Inwards / 2 Tugs Outwards

See Note (a)

High Freeboard/Ro Ro Vessels and Miscellaneous

Up to 125m LOA At Liaison Pilots Discretion

125m LOA - 210 LOA 2 Tugs Inwards / 2 Tugs Outwards

Over 210m 3 Tugs Inwards / 2 Tugs Outwards

Depending on prevailing conditions vessels with High Lift rudders may reduce the above towage by prior agreement between the master, pilot and/or Harbour Master.

All Vessels At Liaison Pilots Discretion

Bulk Vessels

Up to 125m LOA At Liaison Pilots Discretion

125m to 180m LOA 2 Tugs Inwards / 2 Tugs Outwards

Over 180m LOA 3 Tugs Inwards / 2 Tugs Outwards

See Note (a)

All Other Vessels Except Bulk

Up to 125m LOA At Liaison Pilots Discretion

125m to 210m LOA 2 Tugs Inwards / 2 Tugs Outwards

Over 210m LOA 3 Tugs Inwards / 2 Tugs Outwards

Depending on prevailing conditions vessels with High Lift Rudders may reduce the above towage by prior agreement with Harbour Master.

Bulk Vessels

Up to 125m LOA At Liaison Pilots Discretion

125m to 180m LOA 2 Tugs Inwards / 2 Tugs Outwards

Over 180m LOA 3 Tugs Inwards / 2 Tugs Outwards

See Note (a)

All Other Vessels Except Bulk

Up to 125m LOA At Liaison Pilots Discretion

125m to 210m LOA 2 Tugs Inwards / 2 Tugs Outwards

Over 210m LOA 3 Tugs Inwards / 2 Tugs Outwards

All Vessels At Liaison Pilots Discretion

Up to 125m LOA At Liaison Pilots Discretion

125m to 240m LOA 2 Tugs Swinging

2 Tugs Not Swinging

Over 240m LOA* 3 Tugs Swinging / 2 Tugs Not Swinging

* Under normal conditions and irrespective of thrusters, the recommended minimum towage, swinging or not swinging, is two tugs.

Note (1) For vessels over 60 000 dwt 1 tug must have at least 40 tonnes bollard pull.

Note (2) For Vessels over 240m The minimum bollard pull for tugs must be 30 tonnes. 1 Tug must be of a tractor type.

Where thrusters are considered in lieu of a tug the design power output should be of 2000 HP or more.

Up to 125m LOA At Liaison Pilots Discretion

125m to 200m LOA 2 Tugs in and out

200m to 240m LOA 3 Tugs in and out

Over 240m LOA 4 Tugs in and out

Note: If a vessel is entering or leaving a Dry Dock without Main Engines (Dead Ship) additional towage may be employed as required at Liaison Pilots discretion.

Exceptionally large vessels laying up or in for repairs at Harbour Masters Discretion