An Interactive 5-Day Training Course

Handling, Maneuvering and Commanding of Tugs, Boats & Craft include Towage Operations, Surveillance, Search & Rescue

Handling, Maneuvering and Commanding of Tugs, Boats & Craft include Towage Operations, Surveillance, Search & Rescue

Course Overview

This training Course is giving an excellent chance to the delegates to become a skilled pilot or tug captain. The Tug captains and pilots shall therefore possess the ability to use or handle a tug to its fullest capability.

With this technical attractive training the attendees will gain the experience more quickly and the highest level achieved when a tug captain handles only one tug or tug type. It is a very useful training specially when in some ports, tug captains shift between different tug types.

 This training course will highlight the following:

  • New type of tug to be introduced in the port.
  • Specific situations, conditions or bottlenecks in the port requiring special attention.
  • Port developments, for instance a new harbour basin or berth.
  • Specific, large or deep draught ships expected to call at the port.
  • Towing Operations and Search & Rescue Techniques & Considerations

Training Objectives

This training course is aimed at developing an appreciation of the key practical issues for anyone involved with the marine operations as the training is not limited to new tug captains or pilots. In particular the training purposes mentioned above are for experienced tug captains and pilots as well.

The objectives of this specialised training course shall include:

  • Practice Tugboats handling.
  • Gain Knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of tugs while they render assistance
  • Understand capabilities and limitations of ships and of tugs while rendering assistance.
  • Describe what tug types are available in the port.
  • Understanding various tug types and their propulsion and steering system functions.
  • Apply The bollard pull of tugs, ahead as well as astern.
  • Gain Knowledge of how the different tug types operate when rendering assistance, including the use of towlines and towing equipment.
  • Understanding of the interaction effects between tug and ship and insight into how interaction may affect tug performance and safety and how these influences can be minimised.
  • Identify the Proper towing winch and towline handling and the use of appropriate towline lengths.
  • Recognize the most effective positions for various tug types.
  • Apply Assisting tug aborted Scenario
  • Estimate Recommendations for safe tug assisting operation

Who should Attend?

This GLOMACS training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit the following;

  • Tug Masters
  • Tug Officers
  • Tug Operators
  • Tug Management & Operation Team Personnel
  • Harbour Service Employees
  • Mooring Boat Crew
  • Port Operation Personnel
  • Tug Operations Management
  • Search & Rescue Team Members at Ports

About Saudi Glomacs

At Saudi GLOMACS, we specialize in delivering world-class training courses in Saudi Arabia and across various international locations. Our training courses are tailored to meet the unique demands of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program, focusing on empowering Saudi citizens and enhancing workforce skills. We offer diverse courses spanning leadership, management, engineering, and technical disciplines to cultivate expertise and drive professional growth. Our flexible learning options—whether in-person, online, or in-house—ensure accessibility and convenience for individuals and organizations alike.

With over 30+ years of experience through the GLOMACS global network, we are committed to delivering innovative, results-driven training solutions. Our expert instructors combine industry knowledge with dynamic teaching methods, fostering practical skill development and long-term career success. By choosing Saudi GLOMACS, you're investing in personal excellence and contributing to the Kingdom’s sustainable economic growth and vision-driven transformation.

Training Outline

DAY 1: Tug Types, Equipment, Manning and required Trainings
  • Types of Tug Boats
    • Conventional tugs
    • Azimuth stern drive tugs (ASD)
    • Tractor tugs
    • The Rotor tug
    • Tug Manning & Training
    • Tug Safety Management
    • Towing Equipment
      • Towing winch
      • Towing hook
      • Bollards, fairleads and sheaves
      • Towlines, wire and synthetic ropes
      • Shackles
      • Towing bridle
      • Ancillary equipment
      • Navigation lights and shapes
      • Planned maintenance system (PMS)
      • Testing and certificates
  • Performance of Bow and Stern Thrusters
DAY 2: Towing Types, Safety and Operational Guide
  • Tug Assisting Methods
    • Not connected tug
    • Bow connected tug
    • Shoulder connected tug
    • Stern connected tug
    • Quarter connected tug
  • Towing Operation
    • Tow plan
    • Preparations on board the tug
    • Checks on board the towed vessel or barge
    • Planning for rough water
    • Passage planning and bridge equipment
    • Navigation
    • Emergency planning
    • Bollard pull (BP) and calculation if more than 10 years
    • Position of tug and interaction
    • Girting, girding or tripping (GGT)
    • Gob/Gog wire or rope
    • Emergency quick release systems for towline
    • The effect of Wind & Current
    • Length of towing line
    • Towing alongside
    • Double tows and tandem tows
DAY 3: Standard Operation / Communication When Connecting/Disconnecting a Tugboat
  • Manoeuvres from a tugboat and their result
    • Pivot Point
    • Loss of Tow Wire
      • Emergency towline rigging
    • Connection of tug
    • Disconnection of tug
    • Communication between tugboat and assisted vessel
      • When connected
      • If not connected
  • “Do Not” And “Do” In Harbour Towage Operations
    • DO NOT Actions of Pilot, ship’s Master and mooring parties
    • DO Pilot - Master exchange of information or vice versa
  • Risk of interaction between vessels
  • Relationship between a tug's position and ship's response to the forces exerted by a tug.
DAY 4: Successful Tug Maneuvering & Assisting & Operations Factors
  • Limitations of Tugs
    • The Static & Dynamic tug’s Bollard Pull
    • Tug operational limitations
    • ASD tugs
    • Tractor tugs
    • David Against Goliath
    • Bow Operations
  • Securing Tugs
    • Passing on heaving lines
    • Secure the stern tug first
  • Safe Disconnecting of Tugs
    • Release the bow tug first
    • Different procedures for releasing bow and stern tug!
DAY 5: Towing Operations and Search & Rescue Techniques & Considerations
  • Towing Operations In Fog And Severe Weather Conditions
    • Towing operations in restricted visibility
    • Towing operations in severe weather conditions
    • Propellers Wash Interaction
    • Squat effect and under keel clearance
    • Examples of Tug Accidents
  • Search & Rescue Techniques & Considerations
    • Search & Rescue Communication
    • Search & Rescue Techniques
    • Search & Rescue Patterns
Certificates
  • On successful completion of this training course, GLOMACS Certificate will be awarded to the delegates
  • Continuing Professional Education credits (CPE) : In accordance with the standards of the National Registry of CPE Sponsor, one CPE credit is granted per 50 minutes of attendance
Accreditation

GLOMACS is registered with NASBA as a sponsor of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. NASBA have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org.

All Training Seminars delivered by GLOMACS by default are eligible for CPE Credit.

Providers and Associations

PetroKnowledge
PetroKnowledge
GLOBAL GLOMACS - logo

Sessions in international locations

Venue: Dubai - UAE
Fee: US $5,950
Date: 09-13 Feb 2026
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