| TUG
& TOW OPERATING GUIDELINES
ANY INTRACOASTAL TRANSPORTATION VESSEL OPERATING WITHIN
THE PORT OF BOSTON
TOW RESPONSIBILITY
• All tows shall maintain their towing hawser length as short
as possible, taking into consideration prudent seamanship and prevailing
conditions;
• All tows must exercise extreme caution when conducting any transition
in towing operations (when shifting from one towing mode to another)
in the area of Boston Upper Harbor between Castle Island and the Mystic
River/Chelsea Creek area;
• All tows entering the harbor from sea make their approach around
the NC Buoy (stay to the landward side) and then enter the North Channel
between #1 and #2, rather than directly heading for #1;
• It is recommended, taking into consideration prudent seamanship
and prevailing conditions, that transition operations take place in
Anchorage #2 inside Deer Island for all tows entering or leaving the
Port of Boston;
VESSEL COMMUNICATION
• All mariners are reminded of the requirement to maintain a listening
watch on Channel 13 VHF-FM as required by the “Bridge-to-Bridge
Radio-Telephone Act.”
• Towing vessels that are operated from the aft control station
are not exempt from this requirement. A handheld VHF radio satisfies
the requirement;
• Additionally, mariners are advised that as per PP: 83.709 (b)
“Use of the bridge to bridge transmitter on the navigational frequency
shall be restricted to the Master or person in charge of the vessel,
or the person designated by the Master or Person in charge to pilot
or direct the movement of the vessel. COMMUNICATIONS SHALL BE OF A NAVIGATIONAL
NATURE EXCLUSIVELY.”
It is required by Intracoastal Transportation that our vessels maintain
communications on Channel 13 VHF-FM to inform other vessels of intended
actions, course alterations or towing activities. And, Channel 16 VHF-FM
for emergency traffic.
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