TUG & TOW OPERATING GUIDELINES
ANY INTRACOASTAL TRANSPORTATION VESSEL OPERATING WITHIN THE PORT OF BALTIMORE

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 above the Key Bridge. It is recommended that any tows entering Baltimore take in their hawser outside the Key Bridge whenever possible;

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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