Crowley's "Response" indirect towing

Voith Water Tractor (VWT) Crowley's "Response" in escort mode, indirect towing at 12 knots. Voith Codeword: VSP Orcas. For more infor contact vspmarine@voith.com. General information about escorting can also be found at http://www.bube.no/c-53-View-animations.aspx

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Voith
• Water
• Tractor
• VWT
• Crowley
• Response
• escort
• mode
• indirect
• towing

[jonathane1976]

Ships use tugs to act like a sea anchor, this tug is being dragged by a ship. It means the ship can use its own engine power to create wash past the rudders to assist in steering. At very low speed a ships rudders become less effective.

If a traditional tug ended up at this angle to the tow rope it could be capsized. The Voith propulsion system means the tug can be driven in any direction at any speed, they often run backwards or sidewards at high speed.

[Holtreck]

@jonathane1976 Thanks for this comment

[kenfo0]

someone explain the POINT of towing like this? you all say "pffft...that's nowhere NEAR tipping...."; yeah, until it tips, then you cry WHY!!!!!!!! Again, I don't get the point...why isn't he pulling from the stern and in a relatively straight line?

[Holtreck]

@kenfo0

[Holtreck]

@kenfo0 Hello kenfo0 the tug is using the indirect towing methode which enables the tug to generate much higher line forces than just with the propellers. Good designed Voith Water Tractors can generate up to 2,5 times the bollard pull in lines forces.

[sailorman1011]

I believe this was one of the first jobs this tug participated in brand new out of the yard. They were doing an emergency stop (practice) on the ship to see how fast the Response could stop a Tanker if it lost power. The guys sitting in the galley said it was very nerve racking to see water coming over the rails while looking through the portholes.

[badpakrokje]

i served for years on this type of tugboats....

as the tug is making angle in the water the force on the towing rope is increased by the surface of the underwatership multiplied with the speed an the angle

In general this will work also for other types of tugboats

[kenfo0]

OK, thx Holger! The animation helped a lot.

[kenfo0]

@Holtreck that's the whole point...I don't see how it can pull harder this way. I could see if it was trying to stop a vessel that this might provide more "friction", using the weight of the water. I'll see if I can find more info. Thanks.

[BelgianEvo]

@BelgianEvo : Hmm i wonder why my question is removed ..... it was a normall question, however i can't remember it.