Towing & Ship-Assist · Hawser & Catenary
When towing in heavy following seas, the tug and tow should ideally be 'in step', meaning:
- ABoth on the crest or both in the trough of the same wave at the same time
- BOn the face of adjacent waves so that as one rises the other falls, keeping the hawser tension steadier✓ Correct
- CAt maximum hawser tension continuously
- DWith the hawser as short as possible
Explanation
Being 'in step' means adjusting hawser length so tug and tow ride adjacent waves out of phase — as the tug climbs a crest the tow descends a trough — which prevents both from surging apart simultaneously and snapping the hawser. Hawser length is tuned to the wave period.
Authority: Towing seamanship
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