Tug Sizing for Towage Required Input

© 2006 The Salvage Association (Trial Version 6 - July 2006) Optional Input

1. DETAILS OF TOW
Sample Data
Name of Vessel or Project VLCC VLCC

HULL CHARACTERISTICS SUPERSTRUCTURE &/or DECK CARGO CHARACTERISTICS

(Superstructure, etc., is taken above the weatherdeck of the main hull.)

Projected Area exposed to Wind on the head:-

###
Length BP 323 m ASS(head) ###
###
weather deck level
Beam 54.25 m ###
AREF = Beam x Depth ###
Depth 26.21 m ###
Projected SS Area Ratio 0.70 ( = ASS(head) / AREF ) ###
Draught 20.39 m ###
Projected Area 995 m2
###
Block Coefficient Cb 0.843 ###
Projected Area exposed to Wind on the beam:-

sum all components

ASS(Beam)
Displacement volume 301195 m 3

Displacement (weight) 308724 tonnes-f AREF = Length x Depth

Projected SS Area Ratio 0.10 ( = ASS(beam) / AREF )

Projected Area 847 m2

Notes:
Include fo'c's'le if present and if significant.
Do not include the exposed hull between the waterline and the weather deck.

2. TOWING CRITERIA
Type of Towage 2 Unrestricted Coastwise Tow

Criteria:-
1. Tow will be predominantly within 200 miles of the coast.
2. Tug to be able to make at least 4 knots over ground in Beaufort Force 6 conditions.
3. Tug to be able to hold station in Sea-State 6 average sea conditions if necessary (Hs=5m, Vw=40knots)
or 70% of 10-Year-return wave for the area/season, whichever is less.

Essential Towage Recommendations:-

1. Tow not depart (or resume from point of shelter) unless conditions of BF 6 or less are forecast for at least 24 hours.

2. Tow not to attempt to enter port unless Tug Master considers conditions are favourable.
If conditions on arrival at destination are unfavourable for entering port, tow to move offshore to gain sea room.
3. Salvage Association to be advised if any emergencies occur or if tow deviates significantly from agreed schedule or routeing.

Min. Required Tow Speed 2.06 m/s = 4.0 knots (The tug should be able to tow at at least this speed over the ground in Beaufort Force 6 conditions.)
Override m/s
3. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS FOR TOW
Significant Waveheights (Hs):-

Potential Exposure 12.0 m

Allowable Exposure m

Hs for Holding 5.0 m Sea-State 6 conditions

Average Hs During Towing 3.0 m (Average conditions for unrestricted towing are assumed to be Beaufort Force 6)

Wind Speeds:-

Potential Maximum 33.6 m/s (Average sustained wind speed for maximum conditions)
During Holding 19.9 m/s (Average sustained wind speed for holding conditions)
During Towing 14.6 m/s (Average for unrestricted towing - corresponds to Hs_tow)

Current Speeds:-

During Holding 1 m/s (Assumed average adverse current in holding conditions)

During Towing 0.5 m/s (Assumed average adverse current in towing conditions)

4. REQUIRED TUG BOLLARD PULL

TOWING CRITERION HOLDING CRITERION

Component of 4.0 knots over ground in Holding in
Towline Force Hs = 3.0 m Hs = 5.0 m
(tonnes-force) Conditions Conditions
Ftowing/current 30 5
Fwind 31 45 GOVERNING
Fwavedrift 20 55 TUG BP REQUIREMENT
FTOTAL 81 105 (tonnes-force)

Tug BP Required 101 124 124

NOTES:-
1. Tug sizing is not an exact science.
2. Warranty surveyor may accept a tug a few
tonnes short of the above figure if all else is in order.
3. Other considerations to be made in tug selection are:-
(a) Manoeuvrability/Handling/Seakeeping capabilities of tug
(b) Crew experience
(c) Tug hull/machinery condition
(d) Condition of gear and spares
(e) Tug endurance capabilities