Rudyard Lake Sailing Club

Towing & Being TowedTowing & Being Towed

Fault Finding – Can we fix it?Fault Finding – Can we fix it?

• Engine Won’t Start / Has Cut OutEngine Won’t Start / Has Cut Out– Have we run out of fuel?Have we run out of fuel?– Is the fuel line still attached to the engine?Is the fuel line still attached to the engine?– Is the fuel line trapped?Is the fuel line trapped?– Has the engine run out of oil (2 stroke)?Has the engine run out of oil (2 stroke)?– Has the engine overheated?Has the engine overheated?– Has the kill cord been activated?Has the kill cord been activated?– Is the kill cord inserted correctly?Is the kill cord inserted correctly?

Actions to TakeActions to Take

• Don’t Panic – Assess the SituationDon’t Panic – Assess the Situation– Are we drifting? Do we have room to Leeward?Are we drifting? Do we have room to Leeward?

- Use the Anchor to stabilise your position.- Use the Anchor to stabilise your position.

– Are you in a group (other powerboats)?Are you in a group (other powerboats)?- Communicate you problem with them. (VHF, Phone, Visual)- Communicate you problem with them. (VHF, Phone, Visual)

– Do you need external assistance?Do you need external assistance?- Who can you contact? (Coastguard, Marina, other Boats)Who can you contact? (Coastguard, Marina, other Boats)- How do you contact them (VHF, Mobile, Waving Arms, Flares?)How do you contact them (VHF, Mobile, Waving Arms, Flares?)- Is this situation an emergency? How severe is it really?Is this situation an emergency? How severe is it really?

Salvage and the LawSalvage and the Law

• Help arrives – what now?Help arrives – what now?– Don’t forget Salvage Rights.Don’t forget Salvage Rights.

- Be aware of it, however not all who come to assist will be looking Be aware of it, however not all who come to assist will be looking to claim salvage of your craft.to claim salvage of your craft.

- They will be looking for compensation of their time and fuel costs.They will be looking for compensation of their time and fuel costs.

– Agree Terms First (What is it going to cost me?)Agree Terms First (What is it going to cost me?)– Offer your lines.Offer your lines.– Agree where they will take you.Agree where they will take you.– If you fail to agree terms you could be faced with a hefty If you fail to agree terms you could be faced with a hefty

bill to get your boat back. Read up on the legal situation bill to get your boat back. Read up on the legal situation and be prepared.and be prepared.

Techniques of TowingTechniques of Towing

1. Alongside Tow

2. Stern Tow

3. Multiple Tows

Before We Tow - ConsiderationsBefore We Tow - Considerations

• Which side should I approach them on?Which side should I approach them on?

• Length of tow, how far?Length of tow, how far?

• Where am I going to take them?Where am I going to take them?

• How will the conditions affect the tow?How will the conditions affect the tow?

• Are the crew of the towed boat safe to remain in that boat?Are the crew of the towed boat safe to remain in that boat?

• Has the disabled boat got suitable anchoring points for ropes?Has the disabled boat got suitable anchoring points for ropes?

• Is their boat damaged in any way?Is their boat damaged in any way?

• Do we need any other assistance – are the crew in any Do we need any other assistance – are the crew in any immediate danger – hypothermia, exposure etc?immediate danger – hypothermia, exposure etc?

Alongside TowAlongside Tow

WIND

Disabled Powerboat

Towing Powerboat

1. Which side do we choose?2. How do we position the boats?3. What lines do we use?

Help – Help – Help

I Need Assistance

Towing boat to be astern of the disabled boat

Bows should be ‘toed’ inwards

Bow LineStern Line

Spring

Spring

As the boat is towed which ropes will become tight? A, B, C or D

AB

C

D

Before Moving OffBefore Moving Off

• Make sure all knots are tied in the towing boat and are easily Make sure all knots are tied in the towing boat and are easily accessible for a quick release.accessible for a quick release.

• Agree communication signals.Agree communication signals.

• Raise the outboard on the disabled craft.Raise the outboard on the disabled craft.

• Ensure no ropes are left dangling overboard.Ensure no ropes are left dangling overboard.

• Are the ropes sufficiently tight?Are the ropes sufficiently tight?

• Crew disposition.Crew disposition.

• Assess where you are taking the tow and how the Assess where you are taking the tow and how the conditions will affect you. Room to Manoeuvre?conditions will affect you. Room to Manoeuvre?

Stern TowStern Tow

WIND

Disabled Powerboat

Towing Powerboat

1. Discuss and agree method.

2. Agree Communication Signals.

3. Prepare the Bridle and raise the disabled crafts engine.

4. Ensure adequate anchor points are used.

5. Keep personnel clear of tow lines as they may swing and become very tight – Risk of Crushing

1. Having Secured a tow line to the Bridle move forward carefully.

2. Take the slack out of the tow line.

3. Increase speed slowly and monitor the tow at all times.

Whilst Under TowWhilst Under Tow

• Plan your route well ahead and prepare an escape route when Plan your route well ahead and prepare an escape route when nearing others and fixed objects.nearing others and fixed objects.

• Are all of the crew away from ropes under load?Are all of the crew away from ropes under load?

• Is the tow stable?Is the tow stable?

• Are the crew comfortable?Are the crew comfortable?

• Are the knots holding?Are the knots holding?

• Slow down over a distance to avoid the tow running into the Slow down over a distance to avoid the tow running into the tug.tug.

• Where am I taking them, how will the conditions affect me?Where am I taking them, how will the conditions affect me?

Multiple TowMultiple Tow

Multiple Stern Tow – In Line TowMultiple Stern Tow – In Line Tow

To avoid boats running into each other when slowing down get the crew to put all their weight to the back of their dinghys.

Steer to follow the boat in front.

Attach the line to the mast and thwart – one end should be easily released in an emergency.

Multiple Stern Tow - HerringboneMultiple Stern Tow - Herringbone

To avoid boats running into each other when slowing down get the crew to put all their weight to the back of their dinghys.

Steer to follow the boat in front.

Attach the line to the mast and thwart – one end should be easily released in an emergency.

QuestionsQuestions

• Name the methods /options of towing.Name the methods /options of towing.

• What are the 4 main ropes used in an alongside tow called?What are the 4 main ropes used in an alongside tow called?

• Which ones take the load when going forwards?Which ones take the load when going forwards?

• What should you agree before you tow?What should you agree before you tow?

• What is one of the risks with a in line stern tow?What is one of the risks with a in line stern tow?

• What should be done with a disabled boats engine?What should be done with a disabled boats engine?

• Where should the crew of the disabled boat sit?Where should the crew of the disabled boat sit?

• Where should you tie the knots on ropes?Where should you tie the knots on ropes?