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Aug 17, 2009 Tailoring tug technology to meet specific needs In the world of ship assist and tanker escort operations, a myriad of challenges and endless ideas about how to address those challenges are commonplace in harbours around the globe. From escorting a large tanker carrying environmentally sensitive cargoes to assisting other vessels within the harbour, it is crucial that the company or harbour master contracted to handle these operations have a full understanding of the task at hand and the best way to successfully address the needs of the project with the proper technology. Having the right equipment, specifically tugboats, to handle these types of jobs is a key component in the harbour and escort operations businesses.

The technology available to harbour masters is endless. As such, it is important companies analyse what technological components are needed to handle operations. “When considering what type of tug to design, build, purchase, or charter, vessel operators have a good understanding of what needs they require and what capabilities they want to tug to have,” said Ed Schlueter, Vice President of Vessel Management Services for Crowley. “The amount of technology out there is so great it really becomes a balancing act to determine the best available technology and what is commercially viable.”

In harbour and escort operations, having a highly manoeuvrable tug that can operate in tight areas is important. At Crowley, the needs of the client and each specific harbour guide engineers in choosing which technology is needed for each tug.

From PTI 41 page 46. Read the full article here.