13.1 Every towed object, whether manned or not,
should be assessed and provided with a confirmation of its fitness
to be towed, covering all below mentioned requirements.
13.2 The towed object should have adequate intact
stability in all the loaded and ballast conditions expected during
the voyage. Compliance with any applicable damage stability criteria
should be verified, if not unreasonable due to special conditions.
Such damage stability should be demonstrated to the extent the towed
object may have been previously documented to.
13.3 Prior to sailing, the watertight and weathertight
integrity should be confirmed by an inspection of the closing arrangements
for all hatches, valves, airpipes, and other openings through which
water might enter the towed object and affect its stability. It should
also be confirmed that any watertight doors or other closing arrangements
within the hull are securely closed and that any portable closing
plates are in place.
13.4 Towed objects should be at a suitable draught
and suitably trimmed for the intended voyage, commensurate with the
stability condition demonstrated in accordance with section 13.2.
13.5 It should be documented that the towed object
has adequate structural integrity in relation to the cargo loads,
the design environmental conditions and other foreseen loads during
the voyage. Where applicable, reference should be made to the towed
object's loading manual.
13.6 The cargo securing arrangements (ref. section 6.1) and weather protection for
the cargo, equipment and stores carried on the towed object should
be carefully examined to ensure that they are adequate for the voyage.
Where applicable, reference should be made to the towed object's cargo
securing manual.
13.7 Where applicable, a bridle should normally
be used for connection of the main towing wire rope to the towed object.
Chains should be used in way of chafing areas such as fairleads.
13.8 All connection parts (e.g. each leg of a
bridle) should have a documented minimum breaking load (MBL) exceeding
the breaking load of the towing arrangement.
13.9 Towline attachments should be designed to
resist the towline pull from any likely direction, with use of fairleads
if necessary. The design and arrangement of the towing fittings should
take into account both normal and emergency conditions.
13.10 The ultimate strength of any towline attachment
(bracket or bollard and their foundation) should not be less than
1.3 times the minimum breaking load of the towing arrangement which
is to be attached.
13.11 Fairleads should be designed to accommodate
the chafing chain and should be shaped so as to prevent excessive
bending stress in the chain links.
13.12 A bridle recovery system should be fitted
on the towed object, strong enough to be utilised after towline breakage,
in case the bridle is planned to be used again during the towage.
13.13 Emergency towing equipment should be provided
in case of bridle failure or inability to recover the bridle. This
equipment should preferably be fitted at the bow of the towed object
and should consist of a spare bridle or towing pennant fitted with
a floating rope and buoy allowing it to be picked up without any significant
hazard.
13.14 Towed objects should exhibit the navigation
lights, shapes and, if manned, make the sound signals required by
the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972,
as amended. Due consideration should be given to the reliability of
the lights and sound signals and their ability to function for the
duration of the voyage. When practicable, a duplicate system of lights
should be provided.
13.15 Boarding facilities should be rigged on
each side of the towed object.
13.16 When appropriate, the rudder should be secured
in the amidships position and measures taken to prevent the propeller
shaft from turning.
13.17 Life-saving appliances in the form of lifejackets
and life buoys shall be provided whenever personnel are likely to
be on board the towed object even if only for short periods. When
personnel are expected to remain on board for longer periods of time,
liferafts should also be provided. If the freeboard is more than 4.5
m, liferaft davits should be provided, unless rendered impractical
due to the design or conditions of the towed object.
Whenever the towed object is continually manned, the riding-crew
should be provided with adequate supplies of food and water, cooking
and sanitary facilities, radio equipment, including means of communication
with the towing vessel, distress signals, life-saving and fire-fighting
appliances.
13.18 Towed objects should be equipped with an
anchor, suitable for holding the towed object in severe weather conditions,
that is securely attached to a chain cable or wire and is arranged
for release in an emergency by persons on, or boarding the towed object,
unless rendered impractical due to the design or conditions of the
towed object.
13.19 To reduce the risk of pollution, the amount
of oil carried on the towed object should be limited to what is required
for the safety of the towed object and/or towing vessel and for their
normal operations, provided no risk to the environment will result
from the removal of oil from the towed object.