GIRTING OF A TUG

GIRTING OF A TUG

There have, in the past, been serious accidents involving tugs that have resulted in
a tragic loss of life and which have been caused by a phenomenon known variously
as girthing, girding or girting in differing parts of the world.

With their towing hook amidships conventional tugs have always been vulnerable to
girting and their basic maneuverability makes it all the more difficult to disentangle
this type of tug, should it be caught in such an undesirable position.

It can be caused by one or both of the following ..

 the ship turning independently and too quickly away from the tug.

 excessive straight line speed with a tug made fast.

Let us look, at an example of a common situation, with a conventional tug forward

on a long line.

Compiled by : Capt. Naveen C Tewari, ARI Saket. New Delhi. (6/21) 1

 GIRTING OF A TUG
GIRTING OF TUG SECURED FORWARD

Position 1 - in this area the tug is relatively safe and regardless of whether the
ship's speed is too high it does not result in any immediate problem, provided it
remains with a small angle on the bow.

Whilst it can remain in attendance, such a small arc will naturally limit its
operational capabilities.

Position 2 - if the tug is out in this position broad on the bow, the ship could, as a
result of too much starboard helm or excessive speed, or both, outrun the tug
which may have neither the time nor maneuverability to turn and keep up with the
rapidly swinging or accelerating ship.

Position 3 - this is the worst possible situation where the tug is being pulled
around on the radius of the tow line and because of the position of its hook, is then
dragged along with the tow line out on its beam. Due to the nature of the forces
involved, it will also be pulled over to a dangerous angle of heel.

Unless the tow line breaks, or can be released immediately, the tug which is
powerless to respond and already listing heavily, may capsize!

Compiled by : Capt. Naveen C Tewari, ARI Saket. New Delhi. (6/21) 2

 GIRTING OF A TUG
GIRTING OF TUG SECURED AFT

A conventional tug working aft, is perhaps more at risk than the forward tug as its
design characteristics frequently oblige it to lay with the tow line much more
inclined towards its beam.

Position 1 - provided the ship is either stopped or proceeding at extremely low

speeds a conventional tug can work quite efficiently with maximum bollard pull in
all directions at this and any other position around the stern.

Position 2 - if the ship's speed now increases, the tug will have to work around
onto a heading which is more in keeping with the ship, not only to keep up with the
accelerating ship but also to maintain a safe lead with the tow line. Here the tug
master has to work with the tow line dangerously near the tug's beam. This position
also results in substantial loss of bollard pull.

Position 3 - should the ship's speed become excessive or if the stern of the ship is
swung rapidly away from the tug, it may be unable to respond quickly. As a
consequence, the tug might be dragged around on the radius of the towline to this
dangerous position and capsize with shocking rapidity.

Compiled by : Capt. Naveen C Tewari, ARI Saket. New Delhi. (6/21) 3

 GIRTING OF A TUG
Similarly, a tug attending a ship aft, but in the close confines of a lock, may find
itself in a similar situation, but with even less ability to manoeuvre. Should the tug
get caught across the lock with a ship proceeding at too high a speed it will be
exposed to a very serious risk of girting.

In all these cases, the danger of girting can be removed, by tripping the quick
release gear on the towing hook, thereby releasing the towing line.

THE GOB ROPE

This is a rope of suitable length and strength which a crewman will use on the
towing deck to bowse down or 'gob down' the main tow rope and which may be
adjusted in length as required.

Its use brings the pivot point of the tug aft to the area of the gob rope and this
encourages the tug to pivot around that point and keep its stern up to the tow.

Compiled by : Capt. Naveen C Tewari, ARI Saket. New Delhi. (6/21) 4