Another tugboat capsize in the Clyde today

[dunedin]

Reports of a tugboat capsizing and sinking in the Clyde off Greenock, whilst escorting the Hebridean Princess back into dock.

Doesn’t look good for the crew, but let’s hope for some good news.

Very sad, particularly after the tragic capsize and sinking of another tug with loss of crew just a few years ago

Major rescue operation after tug capsizes off Greenock

 

[RunAgroundHard]

That’s shocking news! Heading to Cowell peninsula late afternoon, quite a few Coastguard vehicles passed us heading eastwards.
The images on the news article look devastating, no hope.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Terrible news but how does a tug that was escorting a vessel capsize?

 

[LittleSister]

Terrible news but how does a tug that was escorting a vessel capsize?

Non-specialist journalists reporting likely non-specialist eye witnesses, so I doubt whether the use of the term 'escorting' can be expected to mean anything in particular. Witness report suggests it was 'pulled over', so presumably was attached to the Hebridean Princess by a line, but we can't be sure. That's also presumably one of the most likely things to sink tugs.

'Eyewitnesses told BBC Scotland they had seen the tug escorting the Hebridean Princess cruise ship into the harbour at about 15:30 when it was apparently pulled over.'

 

[ProMariner]

Very sad, thoughts and prayers.

Usually, it's when the tow overtakes the tug, sometimes a back eddy, sometimes the tug runs aground, sometimes the tug gets out of alignment, or suffers a breakdown or control failure. It's more critical when the tow line is short, like it has to be when entering confined waters. If the tow line doesn't release properly/fast enough, and the gog rope is insufficient / not in use. Search Tug Girding. Can happen in the blink of an eye. Tug crew don't get paid enough.

 

[jwilson]

Very well known danger to tugs, get the tow out of line and the tug can be capsized. The low stern of tugs is designed to minimise the risk, but it can still happen.

 

[ctva]

A very sad incident.

 

[penfold]

The tug that sank ~15 years ago was operating in fog and weatherdeck doors were not closed; I'd hope operating standards have improved since to reduce risk of sinking.

 

[SaltIre]

Two bodies have been recovered.
Divers recover two bodies from Firth of Clyde after capsize of tugboat

 

[dunedin]

Two bodies have been recovered.
Divers recover two bodies from Firth of Clyde after capsize of tugboat

Yes, very sad

 

[Martin&Rene]

There was a big inquiry after the Flying Phantom sank in the Clyde in 2007. There was even a TV programme about the incident. After the incident, winch equipment and working practices were supposedly changed to prevent a repeat of incident. Unfortunately it hasn't.

Search Flying Phantom for more background.

 

[Wansworth]

It takes years to change habits and mental processes,here in Galicia after many drownings professional fishermen are loath to wear a LJ

 

[Bodach na mara]

I knew the skipper of the Flying Phantom. He was a member of the local sailing club and did some work on the local mornings using his own converted fishing boat.

All these accidents are very sad and remind us that the water can be a dangerous place.

 

[NormanS]

I knew the skipper of the Flying Phantom. He was a member of the local sailing club and did some work on the local mornings using his own converted fishing boat.

All these accidents are very sad and remind us that the water can be a dangerous place.

I remember the Flying Phantom having a very close encounter with Ardtornish Light, away back in 1983.
VHF traffic:
CG, "Are you east of the lighthouse, or west of the lighthouse?"
Voice from tug, "I've hit the b****y lighthouse!"
There's a moral there, - don't say to an inexperienced hand, "Just head for that light".

 

[Stemar]

There's a moral there, - don't say to an inexperienced hand, "Just head for that light".

Especially don't say it to your autopilot...

 

[penfold]

I knew the skipper of the Flying Phantom. He was a member of the local sailing club and did some work on the local mornings using his own converted fishing boat.

All these accidents are very sad and remind us that the water can be a dangerous place.

I knew him slightly too; he had started doing our club moorings and I was deputised to help out/position them more or less where they were supposed to be.

 

[dunedin]

The sunk tug was lifted yesterday - which was a sad sight
Tug recovered from Clyde after fatal capsize

 

[Capt Popeye]

My guess is thats its all to easy to capsize a Tug thas in tow , if the tow line , the tug , plus the Craft being towed get the dynamics of the tow line out of kilter ; after all the Tug will have very powerfull engines , so if tow line is out of order and the tug opens up the power the tug its pulled over (in part) by its own thrust the towed craft acting to hold the Tow Line in the incorrect line

 

[SaltIre]

My guess is thats its all to easy to capsize a Tug thas in tow , if the tow line , the tug , plus the Craft being towed get the dynamics of the tow line out of kilter ; after all the Tug will have very powerfull engines , so if tow line is out of order and the tug opens up the power the tug its pulled over (in part) by its own thrust the towed craft acting to hold the Tow Line in the incorrect line

No need to guess.

Marine Accident Investigation Branch: current investigations

 

[DFL1010]

My guess is thats its all to easy to capsize a Tug thas in tow , if the tow line , the tug , plus the Craft being towed get the dynamics of the tow line out of kilter ; after all the Tug will have very powerfull engines , so if tow line is out of order and the tug opens up the power the tug its pulled over (in part) by its own thrust the towed craft acting to hold the Tow Line in the incorrect line

The usual failure mode for tugs whilst towing is girting/girding. Basically the tow line pulls athwartships instead of fore/aft.