The British Tugowners Association (BTA) is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural guide on the Use of Tugs in Firefighting at its Annual Conference in Belfast on 7 May 2025. This comprehensive new guide marks a significant contribution to maritime safety and emergency preparedness, offering industry-standard guidance for Read more
The British Tugowners Association (BTA) held its AGM and Annual Conference at the historic Belfast Harbour Commissioners, drawing over 80 delegates from the UK, European ’s towage and wider maritime community. This year’s conference brought into focus key themes including maritime decarbonisation, emergency response, future fuels, and industry resilience. The Read more
The 2024 BTA Annual Safety Seminar was held on Thursday, 14 November, at The Leith Cruise Terminal in Edinburgh, kindly hosted by Forth Ports. The event welcomed over 100 attendees, including representatives from towage operators, pilots, port and harbour authorities, insurers, accident investigators, regulators, and manufacturers. The report of proceedings Read more
The British Tugowners Association (BTA) issue to industry the revised UK Standard Conditions for Towage and Other Services (2024). Industry is invited to note and make use of the revised Conditions (2024). A foreword by the Review Panel Chair – Nick Dorman is provided below and included within the full Read more
The British Tugowners Association (BTA) Annual General Meeting & Conference took place at the Clayton Hotel, Glasgow, on 17 May. The event brought together over 70 industry leaders, experts, and regulators to discuss pressing matters and topics of interest in the industry. The preceding day saw members undertake friendly competition Read more
The British Tugowners Association are pleased to release to industry is latest guidance release, Recovery of Persons in Water (PIW) Guide to Good Practice for Small Vessels. The Guide to Good Practice is available as a free pdf for use across the industry. The BTA Chairman, Scott Baker from Svitzer, when Read more
Attendees are able to review those presentations made available from the Annaul Conference held on 11 May at Old Thorns, Liphook. Please contact BTA Secretary, Robert Merrylees, rmerrylees@ukchamberofshipping.com to avail. With warm thanks to the Sponsors: Sanmar Shipyards (Gold), Rolls Royce Solutions (Silver), and Boluda Towage (Golf) Photos and videos Read more
The British Tugowners Association (BTA) in collaboration with the UK Chamber of Shipping has launched its new Pilots’ Pocket Guide and Checklist. Harbour towage is a potentially hazardous business and should not be undertaken unless there has been a proper assessment of the risks involved. Good communication by all parties, Read more
BTA launches new guidance on the Selection, Procurement and Use of Tow Ropes
The BTA is pleased to share the MCA’s publication of MGN 648 Code fo Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP) Self Mooring Operations. COSWP is reviewed annually and following the stakeholder engagement exercise held in July 2020, chapter 26 (section 26.6: safe mooring of domestic passenger craft and ships’ Read more