The British Tugowners Association’s Annual Conference in Liverpool offered a rare window into how salvage works in practice. What emerged was of direct relevance to anyone with a vessel, cargo or insurance exposure at risk By Edwin Lampert James Severn (Penningtons Manches Cooper): Emphasised severe peril and the Convention’s encouragement Read more
BTA launches Second Edition of Rope Selection, Procurement & Usage Guide The British Tugowners Association (BTA) has published the Second Edition of Rope Selection, Procurement & Usage, providing updated guidance to support tug owners, operators, masters and technical personnel in the safe and effective management of towlines throughout their lifecycle. Read more
One year on from the allision between the MV Solong and Stena Immaculate in the Humber, Robert Merrylees, Policy Director and Secretary of the British Tugowners Association (BTA) explores calls for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and UK Government to review and strengthen the UK’s emergency response capability. On Read more
The MAIB has this week published a safety warning video addressing the tragic capsize of the conventional tug Biter in February 2023, an incident that tragically resulted in the loss of two lives. The video, issued within the MAIB Safety Bulletin 1/2026, highlights critical lessons regarding towage planning, the impact Read more
The British Tugowners Association (BTA) has introduced a new Firefighting Emergency Action Card to support tug crews when called upon to assist in shipboard fire emergencies. This quick-reference card sets out essential steps and questions for crews before, during, and after an incident, ensuring interventions are carried out with safety Read more
Following the annual BTA Conference, Edwin Lampert from Riviera Maritime wrote an article on the presentation by the UK Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Intervention and Salvage (SOSREP) and React Emergency Response’s Dennis Kusters. The BTA extends its gratitude to the speakers and Edwin for their expertise and professionalism, which contributed Read more
The British Tugowners Association (BTA) is pleased to offer to its members and the wider maritime community a series of Maritime Immediate Emergency Care Checkcards for enhanced immediate response and care on board vessels. The BTA, in developing its recently released Recovery of Persons in Water (PIW) Guide to Good Practice for Small Read more