AIS and tugs and tugs with huge tows

[ianabc]

My question is do tugs have to transmit AIS signals

and

do AIS signals from tugs indicate the length of tow?

 

[Seajet]

I remember following the AIS plot when the dismasted square rigger was under tow last year in the Western Approaches, mostly by a fishing boat; didn't the caption then read 'towing' or similar, or am I remembering it wrongly ?

I'd be surprised if the actual length of the tow was broadcast as that can change ?

 

[Skysail]

I attended an AIS conference recently, and yes, tugs do transmit AIS signals. Solent pilots and captains said it can be a problem for the tow, as the tug is constantly in the 'danger, alarm' area for the ship in tow.

I don't know about the length of tow, not sure if it is in the AIS message set.

.

 

[Allan]

Hours after downloading AIS for my phone I saw a tug and a crane off Clovelly. When I looked them up, the crane was showing an ETA at Liverpool one day later than the tug, which was towing it. Maybe the tow line was longer than it looked from the shore?
Allan

 

[Caer Urfa]

My question is do tugs have to transmit AIS signals

and do AIS signals from tugs indicate the length of tow?

Yes most modern tugs do transmit an AIS signal including knots and status, but they do not show the tow length.

Mike