Harbor tug assistance plays a critical role in the smooth and safe arrival and departure of large oceangoing ships. While these operations are often seen as routine, it is important that all involved parties are familiar with the risk of girting as it may have catastrophic consequences for a tug, reports Britannia P&I Club.
What is girting?
Girting refers to the situation whereby a tug is towed broadside by a towline and is unable to manoeuvre out of this position. Deck-edge immersion then occurs, quickly followed by flooding and capsizing, unless the towline is released in good time. This can happen very quickly and does not allow the tug crew enough time to abandon the tug before it capsizes.
Girting is particularly hazardous to conventional single screw tugs. Tractor and azimuth stern drive (ASD) tugs are less likely to girt because the tug master can produce significant thrust in all directions to maintain the tow alignment. Towing from a point near amidships on a conventional tug is inherently unstable and can result in situations where the load on the towline can heel the tug over to a large and dangerous angle.
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Source: Britannia P&I
