Basic ASD Tractor Tug Operator

Held in: Lagos, Nigeria

The Simulator Basic ASD TUG Operator Course is designed to introduce senior deck officers to the capabilities and limitations of modern ASD “tractor” tugs.  The course will focus on basic manoeuvring techniques such as steering, stopping, working a line and manoeuvring in close proximity to a large vessel. It will also include an introduction to high speed escorting techniques to demonstrate how the tugs can be manoeuvred to create the very high steering forces used to save a ship suffering a serious mechanical failure.

The design of the course assumes that the students are:

• licensed as per national/ STCW requirements;
• have experience operating conventional tugs or supply ships; and
• have a good understanding of the English language.

Scope

The objective of this course will be accomplished over five training days.   Individual Performance Objectives (PO) to be achieved are:

PO 100 – Conduct basic steering and stopping manoeuvres to include making up a towline on a large vessel that is stationary, and applying push/ pull forces;

PO 101 – Conduct intermediate manoeuvres to include making up to a vessel that is making up to 6 knots speed and applying push pull forces;

PO 102 – Develop and understanding of basic tractor design types employed around the world and the associated manoeuvring and performance characteristics of each;

PO 103 – Develop and understanding of the various escorting techniques employed today;

PO 104 – Conduct basic escort manoeuvres to include, indirect pull, powered indirect pull, and transverse arrest at speed up to 10 knots.

PO 105 – Understand the importance of fairlead and bit strength issues needed to ensure that the tractor tug does not damage the ship’s structure.

PO 106 – Communicate using standard command language for tractors and escorting.

Method of Achieving Objectives

Candidates will receive presentations on key knowledge and theoretical manoeuvring principles followed by practical simulation sessions where this knowledge must be applied in practical scenarios. The course is designed to capitalise on the full capabilities of (FMS) as an illustrative, developmental, and assessment tool.