The British Tugowners Association (BTA), in collaboration with the UK Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA) and the UK Chamber of Shipping (UKCoS), has published the Third Edition of Pilots’ Pocket Guide and Checklist: Working Safely with Harbour Tugs – Reducing the Risks in Port Towage.
First published in 2016, the Guide has become a widely used reference for pilots, Pilot Exemption Certificate (PEC) holders, tug masters and harbour towage professionals across the UK. The Third Edition builds on this foundation, drawing on industry experience, operational feedback and safety lessons learned over the past five years.
Harbour towage remains one of the most safety-critical activities undertaken within port operations. Reflecting this, the revised Guide places renewed emphasis on effective communication, shared situational awareness and the development of a common operational understanding between pilots, tug masters and vessel bridge teams.
The guide’s update strengthened the guidance on the exchange of safety-critical information before and during towage operations. The publication introduces an enhanced operational checklist, expanded guidance on Master/Pilot and Pilot/Tug Master information exchanges, and reinforces the use of closed-loop communication and shared mental models to support safer outcomes.
The Third Edition also incorporates lessons from recent industry experience, safety investigations and the ongoing collaboration between the BTA and UKMPA to promote best practice in ship-assist towage. Recognising the continued development of modern tug fleets, the Guide has been expanded to provide updated information on the capabilities, characteristics on refreshed tug reliefs and expansion to include emerging tug designs.
Alongside these technical enhancements, the publication has been modernised and redesigned for digital use while retaining its practical pocket-guide format. The Guide is now easier to access, distribute and reference, helping to broaden its reach amongst pilots, tug crews, harbour masters, PEC holders and other maritime stakeholders.
As with all BTA guidance, the publication is intended to complement professional judgement, local operating procedures, company safety management systems and applicable regulatory requirements. The BTA encourages operators and port stakeholders to incorporate the guidance into training, familiarisation and operational procedures, and to support continued dialogue between pilots and towage providers.
The BTA would like to thank the UKMPA Technical & Training Committee and all those who contributed their expertise, comments and operational experience during the development of this edition.
The BTA welcomes comments and feedback from users of the Guide to BTA to support future revisions and the continued improvement of safety within harbour towage operations please contact BTA Secretary, Robert Merrylees.
British Tugowners Association
