Towing to a place of refuge

Towing to a harbour or place of refuge is a special case of emergency towage, which requires careful assessment of risks related to the identified event and its accompanying circumstances. Such assessment must take account of:

• Safety of those on board,
• Threats to public safety,
• Designated environmental areas,
• Sensitive habitats and species,
• Fisheries,
• Economic/industrial facilities,
• Amenity resources,
• Facilities and manpower available,
• Weather, sea and geographical conditions,
• Bathymetry,
• Tides and
• Seasonal effects.

Thus, towage to a suitable place of refuge involves a wide range of considerations which should include: roles and responsibilities of authorities and the responders in charge, response equipment needs and availability, response techniques required and permitted, international, regional or bilateral co-operation arrangements, existing logistics for emergency response, such as lightering, towage, stowage, salvage and storage, the customs and financial implications to be considered in response operations; and the vulnerability of the area concerned.